I took Aksor+Raskol's suggestion for a new thread about the cleanup effort (from earlier thread) so here it is.

It seemed to all start with talk by GGA members about cleanup and Jeremy's thread on Groundspeak Cache In Trash Out for Earth Day.

I suggest discussion about it continue here and maybe be an agenda item for the March/April GGA meeting since Earth Day is in late April.

Ken

[This message was edited by kennethpruett on March 02, 2003 at 08:21 AM.]

[This message was edited by kennethpruett on April 19, 2003 at 10:20 AM.]

It does sound like a great idea, and I chimed in on the topic that you have linked. Maybe we can initiate some discussion at the March Meeting and get some final plans in order at the April Meeting.

Here are some discussion starters for both this thread and our Saturday meeting.

I've spoken with Susan Joffre of the National Park Service. She is very enthusiastic about working with us to do a cleanup of the park just below Buford Dam on the East side of the River - Bowman's Island East I guess I'd call it. She's going to talk to the NPS Chief Investigator Steve Reynolds as well as the rangers who patrol the park.

The idea is that we schedule a clean up the Saturday after Earth Day, which would be April 26th. She's not sure if she can supply a dumpster, but would have a large truck there. She also said that if there were no dumpster we could pile the trash in the little cul-de-sac parking area at the trail head and the maintenance folks would take it from there.

She and I will touch base again early next week, and I'd love to be able to tell her how many volunteers she can count on. Hopefully we can drum up some interest among those at the nearby new subdivision too.

Give me your thoughts.

~erik~

Now if we could only get permission to leave a cache. Then it would be a true "Cache In, Trash Out" event.

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Now if we could only get permission to leave a cache. Then it would be a true "Cache In, Trash Out" event.

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Maybe by then we will have a ruling on the Special Use Permit application. No news is good news in the meantime I suppose.

Hopefully we won't be asked to remove the remaining caches along with the trash we clean out, but that park needs some serious cleaning regardless.

~erik~

As I said in the NPS Message thread

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I will take part in one clean up no matter if the NPS allows the caches back in or not, I consider this as kind of "payment" for the fun I had finding caches there.

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But it still would be nice if they allowed a new cache or even allowed the old caches to remain.

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I'd love to be able to tell her how many volunteers she can count on.

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You can tell her I'll be there, but can't make it until about 3:00 p.m. -- gotta' work my real job.

With Trailerman coming at 3:00 that makes for 20½ volunteers.

Seriously, twenty commited to participating at the March 8th GGA meeting. I have it in writing so you can't weasel out. hehe.

If those who were unable to make it to the meeting Saturday but would like to participate in the clean up could add to this thread I'll add your names to the list. I told Susan Joffre I'd let her know Monday.

We should also post something at the neighboring new subdivision - I'm sure some of those folks would like to help clean a park they hike in.

~erik~

I will be there. I don't remember if I'm on the list

I was told today that I was volunteered. Since I work Saturdays, I can't provide a firm commitment. Perhaps I should volunteer the perp for an activity on a...say...Tuesday.

I added Johnnie to the list and took Goss off.

Hopefully you can still make it Goss - I seem to remember you were the one who originally suggested an event like this. Even if you can't make it you can still get credit as the inventor of this cache idea.

~erik~

I was beginning to feel like a draft dodger on veteran's day.

CharlieP

Yes, but that was before I was made head peon at the shop!

And I was informed that Tuesday is a definate out, as it would interfere with TV night.

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OK, I'm in ...

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I'll add you to the list Charlie.

Congrats Goss on becoming head peon! Did that occur when you broke your arm and were moved to a management position because you could no longer do real work? (an underhanded stab at those in management )

~erik~

Yes, that is what happened! In fact, my boss jokes that he gave me a demotion.

If my job does not interfear with it I will be there. Out of town at the moment and just got some internet access. I will not know for sure untill about the first of that week.

Of course I left all my notes at work.... but I do remember this much -

We'll start at 10:00 on 4/26, work 'till noon or 1pm. She would rather not have more than 35 people as that's how many trash pick up sticks (?) she has. We'll fill out some paperwork (probably name, address info) and an NPS law enforcement officer will be on hand to say a few words. This would be a great opportunity to meet the NPS folks who are responsible for these parks.

Later in August, at the 25th anniversary of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, we will probably be invited to participate in a program to thank volunteers. Also in the fall is their annual river clean up - which we may also want to participate in. We'd get a nifty tee shirt for helping out with that one. So there'll be another chance for Goss.

More details to follow.

~erik~

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Originally posted by ~erik~:
She would rather not have more than 35 people as that's how many trash pick up sticks (?) she has.

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Most likely either a stick with a nail in the end of it or one of those little things with the gripper. I want to see someone use a pick up stick on the dryer that is out there!

So the first 35 to show up get pick up sticks and pick up trash, the late arrivals get to pick up the dryer, tires and other items the pick up sticks can't handle.

Assuming im not volunteer 36 id like to help out assuming something screwy doesnt happen on the 26th. Ill need direction too as im not good finding place with just a gps.

Happy Hunting!
-Amazingracer

"Life is tough, life is tougher if you're stupid." -John Wayne