The Shiawassee County Health Department and the Friends of the Shiawassee River have received grant funding of $1,593 from the Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Commission Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup program. The funds will support ongoing efforts to improve the health of the Shiawassee River and its surrounding natural resources, through events such as the annual Shiawassee River Clean-up and tire collection.
The 18th annual Shiawassee River Clean-up will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, In the event of inclement weather, the cleanup will be rescheduled for Aug. 15. The event is supported by Waste Management, Mancino’s of Owosso, Oster Superior Threading, J&S Tire, The Bagelman, Owosso Graphic Arts and Cheff’s Canoe Rental. “Volunteers are invited to join the clean-up at one of our two meeting locations in McCurdy Park at Corunna and the Oakwood Avenue Bridge in Owosso,” said Devin Gill of the Friends. “For their efforts, volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and lunch provided by Mancino’s of Owosso. Please arrive wearing old clothes and protective footwear for walking in the river.”
“Thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and event supporters, almost 700 tires have been recycled and removed from habitat since our first clean-up,” said Larry Johnson, director of the Shiawassee County Health Department. “This event is a great way for the community to come together and care for one of our greatest assets, the Shiawassee River.”
The community of Chesaning will also host a River Clean-Up on Aug. 1 in partnership with the Owosso effort. Volunteers will meet at the boat launch in Showboat Park. Persons may call Nancy Krause, (989) 845-7230 for more information.
“If you are unable to participate on Aug. 1 and would like to recommend a section of the river for clean-up, please contact the Friends’ office,” it was emphasized.
Tires collected from the river by volunteers will be recycled free of charge, courtesy of the Shiawassee County Health Department. “Unfortunately, tires are a common item found in the river” said Johnson. “They also provide habitat for insects, such as mosquitoes, that can pose a health risk to the community.”
For more information about the event, persons may contact the Friends of the Shiawassee River by calling (989) 723-9062, or sending an email to info@shiawasseeriver.org. The Shiawassee County Health Department can be contacted by calling (989) 743-2392, or by visiting the website, http://health.shiawassee.net/Environmental-Health.
