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Waterways need people
who care to clean up
Published April 26,
2007
Whether visitors prefer
the serenity of the ocean or the raucous
sounds of a Memorial Day party crowd, a slow
ride on the river or a bumpy one on water
skis, there’s no question waterways are
among the area’s most precious resources.
Why, then, do so many people take them for
granted to the point they look as though a
trash bin were turned upside down from
above, empty bottles and cans and candy
wrappers left to blow in the wind and go in
and out with the tides?
The result isn’t just unsightly. It’s a
danger to sea life.
The San Bernard River was so junky it will
take volunteers two weekends to clean it up.
They had to get the refrigerators, washing
machines and truck tires out of the way
during a heavy-debris cleanup Saturday and
Monday so volunteers can concentrate on
household trash this weekend.
That’s a sad state of affairs, to be sure,
but the good news is it is within our power
to turn things around.
There are several opportunities on tap this
weekend for anyone who is interested to do
their part toward ridding our beaches and
river of literally tons of trash.
They are making headway. Since 1986, more
than 349,000 Texas Adopt-A-Beach volunteers
have picked up more than 6,600 tons of trash
along the Texas coast. And Saturday,
Adopt-a-Beach Spring Cleanups at Quintana
Beach and Surfside Beach will be among 25
sites along the Texas Gulf Coast where
volunteers will scour the sand for trash.
There traditionally is a great turnout, and
we hope this year is no exception.
Organizers of the river cleanup have reason
to believe progress has been made there, as
well. In 2006, about 26,000 pounds of trash
were removed in the weekend and pre-weekend
cleanups. There were not as many large items
this year, which could mean a higher
awareness is leading people to take better
care of the waterway. Or it simply could
mean those trashing the river aren’t keeping
pace with those working to keep it clean.
In either case, it is good news.
The only lasting change, however, must be a
change in mindset that prompts us to treat
our beaches and rivers with care in the
first place.
This editorial was written by Yvonne Mintz,
managing editor of The Facts.
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WHERE TO HELP
ALL CLEANUPS BEGIN AT 9 A.M. SATURDAY
• BEACH CLEANUPS
Meet at Quintana County Beach Park or
Surfside Beach. Registration at 8:30 a.m.
Lunch follows at noon. Wear closed-toe shoes
and sunscreen; bring plenty of drinking
water. Call (979) 864-1541 or (979)
864-1564.
• SAN BERNARD RIVER CLEANUP
Volunteers will meet at several locations.
They include Hanson Riverside County Park,
McNeil Bridge, Churchill Bridge, 2J’s Cafe
and Marina and River’s End. Drinks provided.
Dinner follows at 4 p.m. Visit
www.sanbernardriver.com or call David Pope
at (979) 798-6251.
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