July 26, 2013 - 2nd Day of Flood Debris Removal on The Boardman
With the weather threatening to be very bad, we decided that trying to get all these people together again on another day would just be impossible, so we decided to go ahead and finish the project today in the rain if we had to.
But it turned out to be a wonderfully cool and pleasant day for the working on the water.
There were 12 of us today from the TAPC, BRCS, ACTU, GTCD and Jeff Lane.
There were only 7 pieces scheduled to take out today but we found 13 in all.
This time we used mostly human power to get the pieces out of the log jams.
We floated the pieces out with canoes. It was easier this time. We knew what to do.
We found 6 pieces that we didn't know were there making 23 in all removed during the two day project.
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Mike, REB and Chris get the pieces in the canoe so they can carry it downstream.
Today's haul covered the bottom of the 15 yard dumpster provided by AMEC.
Three pieces from today's collection were reused or returned to owners so it didn't have to be placed in the dumpster. The two 20+' steel beams taken from the damaged bridge during the first day will be cut into smaller pieces and be recycled at Rifkin Metal Recyclers next week.
All the property owners allowed us to use their property to complete this project.
But we still had a trailer full of debris we got on July 3rd to put in the dumpster.
We thought it all would not fit but they packed it in there like a suitcase. It all fit ok.
I am one happy river cleaner to have this project completed and have more than 5000 pounds
(2.5 tons) of flood debris removed from the Boardman River over the two day period.
I want to thank so many people for helping the BRCS do this very complex and difficult project.
First, I want to thank Steve Largent of the GTCD for having faith in the idea and that we could actually do it. He was the power behind the project and it would not have been done without him. Steve used his chain saw like an artist's brush to get that debris out of the river.
Second, I want to thank David Fred for his help with the use of the GPS, planning, problem solving and brain storming this project with Steve L and me. David is an "out of the box" thinker and his ideas are always a little out there but better than mine.
Third, I want to thank the Rotary Good Works and Adam Chapter of Trout Unlimited for being so generous and funding the project. They really showed that they care about the Boardman and its continued beauty and health even after the mishap of last October 6th.
Fourth, I want to thank AMEC for stepping up to help us by supplying a 15 cubic yard dumpster from American Waste Disposal Co. AMEC was right there when we needed them.
And lastly, to all the selfless volunteers from the TACP, BRCS, GTCD and ACTU who showed up, got stung by hornets, frightened by snakes, rained on and got their undies wet to do such a wonderful thing for the Boardman River. Our community owes you a big "THANK YOU!".
And also to Jeff Lane, who took a day off work to come out and help today. He was at every location where we offloaded debris to take it over to the GTCD barn and unload it so we didn't have to do it after the project ended.
We had saved the worst and most difficult piece for last and Jeff helped us get it out of the river.
Jeff was a real life saver today.
The two 20' steel beams were cut in half, loaded on my car along with some other steel that we found and all of it was taken to Rifkin for recycle.
Thank you for your help Paul Ton of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
The 50 pound saw mill blade was not recycled but will be used as a sign for the GTCD Barn.
Norm Fred