A resident sent this photo to the Enderby Chamber of Commerce to show just some of the garbage that was left in the Shuswap River this summer.
Image Credit: Contributed
August 16, 2016 - 4:30 PM
VERNON - Discarded beverage containers, bikes and abandoned tubes are creating an eyesore on the popular Shuswap River in Enderby.
It’s not a new problem, but the Enderby Chamber of Commerce says it seems to be significantly worse this year.
“From my experience we had such a slow start to the summer and I think we’re just getting so many more people all at one time the garbage levels are very visible,” general manager Corinne Van De Crommenacker says.
A large amount of trash is piling up on riverbanks, and because the water is so clear, you can also see quite a few sunken bottles on the river bottom, Van De Crommenacker says. There have also been four bikes found in the river this year.
“The message we are really trying to get out is pack out what you pack in,” she says. “Please take steps to ensure the river stays clean so everybody can enjoy it for years to come.”
Beach-goers, tubers and other river users are reminded garbage and recycling containers are located at all hand launches on the river, so there’s no excuse to leave trash in the water.
“They can also pack a bag or cooler and have that on them to collect their garbage,” she suggests. “Now that the weather is here people are anxious to get out there, sometimes they just forget about the proper planning.”
Enderby's five Shuswap River ambassadors will be patrolling the launch points on the riverbank from Thursday to Monday throughout the summer and will be actively reminding people to pack out what they pack in.
The chamber will also hold its annual river clean up at the end of September. Anyone interested in participating can call the chamber at 250-838-6727.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016