Ramapo River Trash

[MudCat08]

Was kayaking the Ramapo last week and noticed a lot of tires and other garbage polluting the river.
Trash is evenly distributed throughout the length if the river as it runs through Mahwah and Oakland.
Looking into working with both towns to run a cleanup event on August 31st.

What do you guys think, would anybody from here be interested in joining such an event?
EDIT:
EVENT HELD ON SEPTEMBER 21ST.
LOCATION : HALIFAX ROAD, MAHWAH PARKING LOT BY RIVER.
TIME : 10AM-2PM

[dakota560]

Absolutely blows me away how many tires and other large consumer items end up polluting our waterways. If someone gets caught, fine them $10,000 and make them perform community service for a year to clean the waterways of the garbage. If they fail to appear for community service, issue a warrant for their arrest and throw them in the slammer. People would start thinking twice before using nature as their personal dumping grounds and abusing our watersheds at everyone else's expense. Should be very easy to legislate and the fines would fund enforcement efforts.

[akoop]

Was kayaking the Ramapo last week and noticed a lot of tires and other garbage polluting the river.
Trash is evenly distributed throughout the length if the river as it runs through Mahwah and Oakland.
Looking into working with both towns to run a cleanup event on August 31st.

What do you guys think, would anybody from here be interested in joining such an event?

As long as my calendar stays open I would like to help.

[AndyS]

Somewhere along the line you will find a group responsible for this stretch of water, it's just a matter of who.
You have an Ameri-Corps Watershed Ambassador attached to that watershed.
You have a Trout Unlimited group attached to that river.
More than likely there is a Watershed/Environmental group attached to that river in those towns.
Do the research and light a flame under their a$$es and you probably won't have to do a thing. THEY need to organize NOT YOU.
BUT with that being said if you ask people to volunteer make sure they realize if they get hurt YOU can't be sued for damages,
Then you have to make prior arrangements with local officials and town DPW for disposal of the trash.
I will see who I can contact, in the mean time MORE photos please !!
How many tires ???

[ScowardNJ]

I live in Oakland. Our town has a flood commission and an environmental commission. I'm certain that both commissions would welcome your efforts!!!
Trout Unlimited is also pretty active in the river above 287.

How were the water levels for yakking last week? Lot of dragging over gravel bars?

[BT67]

I fish the Ramapo and would be interested in helping such an effort if my schedule allows

[MudCat08]

I agree Dakota, increasing the severity of dumping laws should make a difference. I see that most businesses and contractors don't care much where their waste goes as long as they don't get caught.

Thanks akoop, BT67, we will need your help.

Thank you Andy, I'll contact the Environmental Commission of Mahwah and Oakland and then the DPW of both towns to pickup the tires after we get them out of the river. Might be able to get Trout Unlimited onto this also. Great point about the liability. Will need to have forms signed by volunteers.

Yeah Scoward, river was lower and you'd have to drag the yak through some sections. But not much.

[MudCat08]

Few more

[MudCat08]

Some more

[MudCat08]

Update for anybody looking to join:
Date of the event is being changed from August 31st to a later date. Will post another update when an exact date is determined with both towns.
Will most likely be a Saturday in September.

Big thank you to anyone who can lend a hand.

[ALK11]

You mean you want to get rid of all that amazing structure in the water?

[AndyS]

You mean you want to get rid of all that amazing structure in the water?

Not funny.

[MudCat08]

Small scale cleanup will be held on Saturday September 21st. Anyone who can lend a hand is welcome to join. Area of river to be cleaned will include Ramapo College.

We will meet at the Halifax Road parking lot Mahwah by the Ramapo River at 10am.
Thank you to all who can attend.

[Billfish715]

Congratulations on your enthusiasm and efforts. I can see you have a vested interest in the river's health. Make sure you get some local press coverage even if you have to submit a write up and pictures on your own.

I've seen worse conditions on other streams but the pictures probably don't come close to showing all of the conditions. I'm surprised the blow downs and log jams don't have more trash against them. I guess some volunteers should bring along some chainsaws and pulleys. You won't clear all of the obstructions but the ones you remove will certainly help a lot. The local 'yakers will be thrilled.

Thank you and good luck.