Volunteers tackle flood plain pollution at RecoverLink’s RAD cleanup

Here’s the press release from RiverLink:

Asheville– RecoverLink, a partnership between RiverLink and Recover Brands, is a “roving” Adopt-A-Stream team that gives volunteers an opportunity to clean the various rivers and creeks across the French Broad River watershed. The Second Annual All Roads Lead to the RAD cleanup focused on the French Broad River urban flood plain.

On February 28, a group of eight volunteers dedicated their efforts to Riverside Drive and Lyman Street; working along the eastern bank of the French Broad river- an area particularly in need of attention because of its proximity to I-26.

Eunique Harris, a Project Conserve member serving at Asheville Green Opportunities, participated in Friday’s cleanup. She said Friday was a great day to be outside. “The walk for cleanup that day was about 3 and a half miles long. Plus it was a beautiful day, the sun was shining”, she said.

In three hours, the group collected 25 bags of trash. There are always surprising finds during a flood plain cleanup, and this RecoverLink project was no different. “We found about 15 to 20 basketballs along the rail road tracks before you go under the bridge by Asheville Green Works,” Eunique said.

RecoverLink volunteer, John Guthrie, worked on the Lyman Street- at the conflunce of Nasty Branch Creek and the French Broad River. “I was honestly shocked to see how much trash there is on the banks of the river,” he said.

Guthrie pointed out the important role of cleanups, both for the environment and the community. “The French Broad is such a treasure. We’re unbelievably lucky to have such an old, interesting and beautiful river flowing right through the middle of our awesome town. The least we can do is take a couple hours out of our lives to keep the river healthy for our community and ourselves.”