White River a Little Cleaner after Saturday's Event

NOBLESVILLE, IN - Several hands made light work of heavy trash pulled from the White River in Hamilton County on Saturday morning. Under sunny skies, Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) volunteers scoured for unwanted litter and debris along the 206th Street Bridge area north of Noblesville, Ind.

Several tires, as well as a rusty appliance part were fished from the water's edge and river bottom. Roadside litter largely consisted of empty beverage cans and bottles-items typically thrown or blown out of passing vehicles. A toilet tank in several pieces was among the more unusual finds. 

Ernest Johnson, a long-time IDEM volunteer, removed a crayfish from its makeshift home in a muffler before hauling the item out of the water. "The hardest part was getting the crawdad to come out of the muffler," said Johnson about the morning's work detail. A small field mouse nesting inside an empty Arizona Green Tea beverage can was also "relocated" by volunteers who picked up litter along Riverwood Avenue south of 206th Street.

IDEM's event was held in conjunction with a larger, multi-group and multi-county cleanup addressing 75 miles of White River from Randolph to Marion County. IDEM's group was flanked by volunteers from the Noblesville community and Central Indiana Land Trust, Inc., who cleaned up the river immediately to the north and south.

Volunteers placed trash in dumpsters provided for the day's event and worked with Noblesville event staff who helped collect full trash bags and other large debris.    

"I'm proud that my staff and other Hoosiers have committed to being part of the solution," said Thomas Easterly, IDEM commissioner. "Improving water quality and the environment is a choice that each Hoosier should make. It takes all of us working together to make such a large, positive impact."

IDEM volunteers collected trash and litter from White River and roadsides along 206th Street and Riverwood Avenue north of Noblesville. IDEM held its volunteer river cleanup event in conjunction with a larger, multi-county cleanup addressing 75 miles of White River from Randolph to Marion County. In the photo, left to right: Amy Hartsock, Ernest Johnson and IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. Not pictured: Pat Likins and Denise Szocka.