The wind was cold but the coffee was hot as a hardy crew of nine volunteers and four Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staffers met at Lakeside Park in Big Lake for the Seventh Annual Elk River Watershed Cleanup.  After coffee and snacks, the volunteers headed out to one of three targeted cleanup locations, according to Frances Gerde, SWCD district aide. 

 

An estimated 550 lbs. of trash was removed from road sides along the Elk River and its tributaries.  The weight was estimated using the MN DNR’s Rubbish Weights Guide, Gerde said.  The collection included the usual fast food wrappers, coffee cups, aluminum cans, scrap metal, cardboard boxes, cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and newspaper.  Among the more unusual items found were a microwave oven, a car hoodvand several car tires.

 

Next year the SWCD hopes to include some additional groups who might adopt sections of the Elk River on cleanup day.  Scouts, church youth groups and any similar organizations that are interested in teaming up on the project are asked to contact the Sherburne SWCD at (763) 241-1170 ext. 4.

 

Taking part in the clean-up effort were the following:  Ron Burley, Elk River; Mike Buckley, Big Lake; Emily Kelly, Minneapolis; Blake Buzzo, New Hope; Amber Larson, Zimmerman; Brian Blaydes, Big Lake; Emma’le Blaydes, Big Lake; Shane Determan, Big Lake; Jane Ramunno, Big Lake, and SWCD staffers Francine Larson, Tiffany Determan, Bill Bronder and Frances Gerde.

 

Volunteers and staff worked in the following areas:  Big Lake Crew: Bridge crossings on the Elk River at Co. Rd 43, CSAH 5 and 15. Odds & Ends Crew:  Tibbits Brook, Snake River and St. Francis River.  Becker Crew: Bridge crossings on the Elk River at CSAH 23, 24 and Hwy  25.  Volunteers also traveled to Palmer Township to remove trash from bridge crossings along the Elk River and Rice Creek including CSAH 16, 20 and 6. Big Lake and Mitchell Lake Crew: Public areas of Big Lake and Mitchell Lake.