• Article Photo. Tami Stark gives directions to the River RATS as they prepare to begin the clean-up.
    Tami Stark gives directions to the River RATS as they prepare to begin the clean-up.
  • Article Photo. Participants arrive a the Mt. Auburn boat dock to begin the third annual Cedar River clean-up.
    Participants arrive a the Mt. Auburn boat dock to begin the third annual Cedar River clean-up.
  • Article Photo. Duane Johnson and his dog Nestlé participated in the clean-up from the boat dock to Vinton.
    Duane Johnson and his dog Nestlé participated in the clean-up from the boat dock to Vinton.
  • Article Photo. AmeriCorps member Michael Hrkman from Ohio rode with Dave and Shelby Cox during the clean-up.
    AmeriCorps member Michael Hrkman from Ohio rode with Dave and Shelby Cox during the clean-up.
  • Article Photo. AmeriCorps Maple 4 team members joined the clean-up effort.
    AmeriCorps Maple 4 team members joined the clean-up effort.
  • Article Photo. The Benton Co. Conservation Dept. repaired the boat dock which was destroyed in Flood of 2008.
    The Benton Co. Conservation Dept. repaired the boat dock which was destroyed in Flood of 2008.
  • Article Photo. Nestlé watches from the shore as River RATS arrive for the clean-up.
    Nestlé watches from the shore as River RATS arrive for the clean-up.
  • Article Photo. Maple 4 AmeriCorps members replaced their gray attire with yellow River RATS t-shirts.
    Maple 4 AmeriCorps members replaced their gray attire with yellow River RATS t-shirts.

For the third August in a row the Cedar River R.A.T.S. (Running Around Tidying Streams) volunteers spent a Saturday removing trash and other debris from the Cedar River. 

This year, the group began at the northern edge of Benton County, entering the river at the new Mount Auburn boat ramp. They collected plastic barrels, wood, insulation and a variety of metal objects. Those items will be recycled or taken to the land fill. 

Several volunteers, including a team of Maple 4 AmeriCorps members, used at least eight boats and four canoes as they removed trash from the river.

Tami Stark shared the following words with Vinton Today about the third annual clean-up:

 

RATS Retire until next year!

 

   The 3rd Annual Cedar River Clean Up, organized by the Cedar River RATS, is now a piece of history!

   Just a week ago, the 8/7/10 event’s fate hung in the balance due to unstable water levels!  Finally, it was decided, “high water or not – we’re doing this!”  And so we did.

   Approximately 70 people total, both on and off the water, volunteered last Saturday to make this an outstanding success!  After a brief sign in session and quick instructions, the RATS took to the water right @ 9:00 and it was only about 2 minutes or 5 yards out, that the first of an entire day’s worth of trash was found!  It rained hard on the crew for about 20 minutes, but everyone persevered and we were rewarded with picture perfect weather after that!

   What was collected? Where do I start?  All in all, there were over 1 dozen tires on rims, ½ dozen 4’ propane tanks, plastic benches, coolers, toy boxes, street barricades, entire docks, a FURNACE, canoe pieces, metal barrels and at least 12 plastic barrels, dozens of bags of plastic, glass, small metal, wire, etc.  There were sawhorses, ladders, planks, beams, frames…and the list goes on! 

   The RATS successfully filled one entire dumpster with trash, a full-sized trailer w/ scrap metal and the bed of a full-sized truck w/ tanks.

With the number of volunteers, and the quantity collected, this was the best year yet!

   Events such as this would not be possible without the support of the community, and we would especially like to thank the following people/groups for their generous donations and assistance:  Bret & Tina Nelson, Dave & Brandi Kelchen, Leon’s Malt Shop, Rat Rods, Schoonover Tuckpointing, Patten Equipment, Vinton Lions Club, Martha, Jim & Nancy Long, Tom VanEschen, Chuck & Doris Meredith, Mark Phippen, Mark & Melissa Elwick and an especially HUGE thank you to every single person that came solo or with their family and friends to hit the water and make a difference!  Your local RATS committee members are:  Dave Henkle, Tami Stark and Bob Mahood.  

  Mark the first Saturday in August, 2011 on your calendar!  We’ll see you all then!