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August 26, 2010

CRBI sponsors river cleanup and paddle trip this weekend

Submitted by the Coosa River Basin Initiative

The Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) is partnering with groups in Bartow and Cherokee counties to host two events this Saturday, Aug. 28, designed to promote recreational use of the Etowah River through a 160-mile-long canoe and kayak trail from Dawsonville to Rome.

CRBI, in partnership with the Upper Etowah River Alliance, will host a 15-mile paddle on the Etowah River in Forsyth and Cherokee counties from Old Federal Road to East Cherokee Drive. The trip will allow local residents to explore a stretch of the Etowah highlighted by several Native American fish weirs and the McGraw-Ford Wildlife Management Area.  

Shuttles will be provided for a small fee and boat rentals are available. The trip is free to CRBI and UERA members. CRBI and UERA are offering joint year memberships for $35 through this trip. Pre-registration is required.

To register for the trip, pay membership dues and/or rent a boat, visit www.coosa.org/events/paddle-trips or contact CRBI Volunteer Adventure Trip Coordinator Alan Crawford at (706) 291-7449 or via e-mail at ibwheelin2@yahoo.com.

CRBI is also partnering with Keep Bartow Beautiful to conduct a clean up along the Etowah at the US 411 Bridge over the Etowah between Cartersville and Rome.

The clean up will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude with pizza lunch for all volunteers at noon.

CRBI and Keep Bartow Beautiful have targeted this riverfront lot that is suffering from illegal dumping and heavy recreational use. Organizers plan for the clean up to lead ultimately to the development of the land as a canoe/kayak access point for the Etowah, including a parking area and boat launch.

Volunteers are needed and can register to participate by calling (706) 232-2724 or by registering to volunteer at www.coosa.org/get-involved/volunteer.

CRBI is working with multiple stakeholders to create a 160-mile-long Etowah River canoe and kayak trail stretching from Dawson County to Floyd County. The trail would include numerous public boat launches as well as informational kiosks at key river access points.

The Etowah is considered one of the country’s most biologically diverse river systems with 76 native fish species. It is home to 10 imperiled aquatic species, including the federally protected Cherokee, Etowah and Amber darters.

CRBI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. Its mission is to inform and empower citizens to protect, preserve and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.

 

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