Vols urged to clean stream banks

MARGARETVILLE, N.Y., April 6, 2007 - The Catskill Watershed Corporation will once again support groups and individuals who clean litter and other debris from streambanks in their neighborhoods.

Youth and school groups, church organizations, civic and business associations, neighborhood groups and teams of friends are encouraged to scour stream and riversides for trash and to dispose of it properly.

The CWC will provide trash bags, gloves and tokens of appreciation for those who choose to serve their communities in this way. Call Kim Ackerley at 845-586-1400 to arrange to get these items, or for suggestions on areas that need attention.

Volunteers might wish to coordinate their efforts with National River Clean-up Week sponsored by American Rivers June 2-10, 2007. Go to www.nationalrivercleanup.org to register your group, get trash tracking forms and more.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection is also coordinating clean-ups at the Ashokan Reservoir May 5 and June 2; the Schoharie Reservoir May 19 and Sept. 8; the Pepacton Reservoir August 11; the Rondout Reservoir Sept. 15 and the Neversink Reservoir September 29. Contact Amy Flavin (845-340-7530, or aflavin@dep.nyc.gov) for more information on how to lend a hand with those projects.