Gunnison River Clean-Up & Float (WSA is doing Delta-to-Escalante- nice section
Details
Gunnison River Cleanup (http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=da400417-6b86-473a-9c96-478b0f3df772&c=c24ca300-20a2-11e3-8127-d4ae529ce48a&ch=c3329630-20a2-11e3-8135-d4ae529ce48a)
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WSA along with the Grand Junction BLM and Colorado Canyons Association (http://www.coloradocanyonsassociation.org/) (CCA) and Western Colorado Congress are doing a Gunnison River (http://myhome.coloradomesa.edu/~jerry/guide/gunnison.html) cleanup.
During a WSA float of the river from Escalante to Bridgeport (http://myhome.coloradomesa.edu/~jerry/guide/g3.htm) earlier this year we noticed there is a huge amount of trash - mostly plastic - that would do well to disappear from the river. Unfortunately high water just moves the junk around. Humans got the junk there so please come join other humans volunteering to take this stuff away.
We are planning on dividing the groups up and doing 2 portions of the river. WSA and WCC will float & clean Delta to Escalante while CCA handles the Escalante to Bridgeport section. According to Jerry's River Guide (http://myhome.coloradomesa.edu/~jerry/guide/gunnison.html), (JRG) these 2 sections are equal length and both rated class I-II. They are both 'new boater friendly' sections of river. A couple of photos on this page are borrowed from JRG.
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If you have a duckie, kayak, small paddle raft or other small river boat we would love your help! We need to keep the boats small because of the Bridgeport access to the river. To launch or take-out there boats will have to be carried under or over the railroad, either way a task we want to do with smaller boats, not 14' rafts with rowing frames, coolers and all that other bulk and weigh rafts often include. Paddle rafts however, even up to 14' would be great.
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Colorado Canyons Assn. will supply trash bags and rubber gloves. BLM will make arrangements to pick up/ transport the loads of bagged-trash so small boats will not need to carry it all the length of the float. There is more trash than, if all collected, a whole fleet of small boats could carry.
WHEN/WHERE:
We will meet at Orchard Mesa City Market to carpool from GJ to Delta or if you are coming from other locations plan to meet us at the boat launch behind the Delta community recreation center at 8 AM. Once we drop off boats and excess people there we will set up the car shuttle so we can be on the water by 9.30 AM
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WHO/WHAT BOATS:
BLM is thinking they would like 10-15 volunteers for each section of the river. WSA, WCC and CCA are recruiting volunteers. Inflatable kayaks and small paddle rafts may work best for this effort since either would be easy to get in and out of, as well as easy to lean over the side of without concern about capsize.
Recreational kayaks (the plastic boats with large open cockpit) and canoes may also be appropriate boats depending on boater skill and water level/speed.
BRING:
• Boat & paddles
• PFD/ Lifejacket - required for any WSA boating activity
• Snacks and water - easy, high energy snacks since will have a feast afterwards and bring 2-3 quarts of drinking water
• Clothing/ (http://files.meetup.com/1653930/River%20trip%20clothing%20list%20with%20suggestions%20for%20why%20and%20why%20not%20to.pdf) Sun protection- broad brimmed hat, sunglasses (lots of reflected sunlight off the water), sunscreen, long pants &/or shirt, bandanna; whatever else you use
• Garden/ lawn rake or other implement to reach into the brush for trash and debris
• Ropes on the ends of your boat (each end rope I recommend be 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the boat, no more) for use in the event we walk some sections of shoreline and tow the boats
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RSVP:
Please state what kind of boat you are bringing. If you are bringing a paddle raft, or a 2 person IK, and can take additional passengers, please post that information. There may be a limited number of places in boats for volunteers who do not bring a boat of their own. These are mellow sections of river and are appropriate for 1st time boaters if you want to borrow or rent a boat and come along.
POST EVENT THANKS & FUN:
We will be meeting at Bill Heddles park in Delta (http://www.deltacountycolorado.com/activities_attractions/bill_heddles.aspx) after the event for a BBQ and post event festivities. CCA will supply burgers, etc and beverages.Participants are asked to please bring picnic-type side dishes to share.
If you know of any acoustic musical groups ((bluegrassy maybe?) that might enjoy playing for an hour or two at the BBQ (we will feed them but there is probably no $$ in it) please let organizers know about them.
Acknowledgement of Risk (http://files.meetup.com/1653930/Acknowledgement%20of%20Risk%20statement%20v.%206-18-13.pdf)
Please read this (http://files.meetup.com/1653930/Acknowledgement%20of%20Risk%20statement%20v.%206-18-13.pdf) and only participate in this event if you are in agreement with this A of R. (http://files.meetup.com/1653930/Acknowledgement%20of%20Risk%20statement%20v.%206-18-13.pdf)
CONTACT:
Doug Van Etten 970-433-4312 or
Mary Hertert 970-778-5985
POSSIBLE BOAT RENTALS (Reserve a rental early, not the day before)
Colorado Mesa University Outdoor Recreation Program (https://www.coloradomesa.edu/op/equipment.html) in GJ
Rimrock Adventures (http://rradventures.com/rentals/) in Fruita
Rapid Creek Cycles (http://www.rapidcreekcycles.com/) in Palisade