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West Branch Garbage Dump?

S

sea lamprey

Fishizzle, I use worms but I'm looking to upgrade!
I don't fish the West Branch of the Delaware that often, but decided to hit it this weekend since most other rivers were blown out. While wading the PA side in the gamelands, I came across tons of garbage scattered along this steep hillside. This was much more than a few bags of roadside trash -- more like an illegal dumping ground. Has anyone ever seen this? Are local authorities aware of it? Seems like some sort of organized clean-up by fishing guides and river organizations might be a nice way to show good will up there...

BTW, fishing was slow with just a few spinner-sippers at dark. 65.5 degrees...
 
That is sad, so what are we going to do? If anyone wants to meet up with some garbage bags to fix this situation, let me know. We can meet up early on Saturday morning. Everyone can bring some gloves and some garbage bags.

Are there any places that wouldn't mind picking up the trash bags so we don't have to leave them on the side of the road?

Who's in?
 
I think I saw the same garbage two weeks ago but it is not at the Gamelands, it is up river past the abandoned shack; actually it is between the shack and WBA. You can't see the garbage from the road or the river, it is only visible if you attempt to climb the bank; there is a single space to park one vehicle on the road there. The bank is REAL STEEP when your in waders. If it is the same crap I saw we are talking about some serious garbage; alot of it can't be bagged, it's too large. When I saw it I couldn't believe it. Looks like someone cleaned out a house or apartment and just tossed it all over the edge and it tumbled down the bank, real fugly!

Michael M.
 
That is indeed a dangerous bank...I usually park by the old shack and wade up to the head end of the pool. Could someone talk to the right officials?? If we could organize a group to clean this up, we would still need some large trash hauling trucks. And I would need a week or so advance warning, since I live in NJ and would have to plan a trip.
 
trashing

I would be more than happy to help with the clean up. Here's my suggestion: someone has to find out the exact address and I would be willing to make the phone calls to the proper Department of Public Works. I'm sure they would be willing to drop off a dump truck along the side of the road for the day. All we would need would be trash bags, long nylon ropes for hauling objects up the bank and volunteers, who would bring their own work gloves and protective foot wear. It's fairly simple unless this is someone's posted property. If someone wants to give me the address so I can contact the DPW just drop me a PM. If they agree to lend a truck we can work out a mutually or fairly mutually agreeable date. Sound good?

Chris
 
And while you are at it:
Maybe ask permission as this is all private property !!!
 
Loomis,

I know you know the exact location, would you happen to know who the owner is? I'd like to contact him/her to find out more.

Who would deny someone access to clean up property? Eh... you never know, some people are flakey like that.
 
Dennis,
Call Jeff at the shop. It has only been through her good graces that the no trespassing signs havent been enforced.
This would be a nice endeavor.
It would mean the end of the "washing machine run", tho. :):)
 
trashing

Good point, Loomis. If the trash is on private property rather than a town easement which usually abuts town roads this would all be for naught unless our efforts are welcomed. If the landowner has any hesitation then I would say forget it and go fish instead.
 
If the landowner is the same person who owns the shack, I've spoken to him once before. I'll give Jeff a call tomorrow morning for the full scoop. I'll keep everyone posted.
 
Saturday in Deposit there is a "White" appliance drop off day. If no one can get a truck, I have a trailer we can use.
That now famous washing machine was the first thing I saw as I took my first float down the WB. It wasn't a good feeling seeing that. While I wasn't around then, "back in the day" that seemed to be the popular thing to do- just give it a good shove over the cliff-out of sight, out of mind.
The "washing machine" that I inherited when I bought my place took a bulldozer to get it off the bank - a 1950 Plymouth that was 1/2 buried in the bank along with countless other things including a full size school bus-very close to the edge of the bank.
I have rope but we will probably need a vehicle to assist in getting it up the hill. I just have a mini van.
Then there is the problem of renaming the run once we are done.;)
 
Update:

I spoke with Jeff White this morning (Delaware River Club). Jeff is going to see if he can find out some more info about the property owner for us. He even offered the DRC dumpster for some stuff.

On behalf of the FUDR, Fly Tier has offered to donate 100 dollars for bags / gloves /... whatever else may be needed for this task.

I've spoken to the owner of this property once before, and his concern was that the property was kept clean. I can't see him having a problem with us going down and cleaning the place up, but then again, I'm not him so I can't make his decisions.
 
Te property is owned by West Branch Angler and a private individual in PA.

I can get permission from both of them if you want me to. It would be a good idea to get written permission. The liability issue comes into play here

Call me if you want to coordinate the effort.

Jim Serio
607.637.3474
 
trashing

The landowner would probably want releases from the volunteers since someone could get hurt pushing and pulling stuff around. That shouldn't be a problem. They could be typed up for his approval and have each volunteer who shows up sign before they begin to work. I think the town truck idea is a good one so let me know if I can help on that issue and with the releases.
 
Hi,

Al Hazzard Trout Unlimited does a cleanup every year on the upper West Branch.

I will call them to see how they handle private property issues.

Jim
 
trashing

Hey Jim, should I bring my snorkel gear? Only kidding. But is that still in the works?
 
Hi,

The snorkel survey has been resceduled for next Spring. The idea is to get natural holding areas for trout at various life stages and Spring time will offer the best chance for that to happen. I will keep you all posted.

Jim
 
I'll offer the use of my Pick-up truck if the town truck thing does not work out. It's nothing fancy, but it's a full size pick up, and if we can get the garbage in the bed, it will haul it. It's four wheel drive too, if that makes a difference. The way I see it, if the possibility of some people throwing garbage at me or trying to roll me down that hill will get a few more people to show up (either to do it or watch it), all the better. :) This Saturday, might be a problem, but I'll throw the offer out there for the future anyway...
John
 
Future Fanatic said:
I'll offer the use of my Pick-up truck if the town truck thing does not work out. It's nothing fancy, but it's a full size pick up, and if we can get the garbage in the bed, it will haul it. It's four wheel drive too, if that makes a difference. The way I see it, if the possibility of some people throwing garbage at me or trying to roll me down that hill will get a few more people to show up (either to do it or watch it), all the better. :) This Saturday, might be a problem, but I'll throw the offer out there for the future anyway...
John
Click to expand...
Since this idea was just brought up this week, how about we wait a few weeks to see how many people can make it. Any Saturday is good for me. I'd like to meet up with everyone for breakfast at the greasy diner in Hancock, then head over to the dump where we can clean up for 3hrs or so then fish for Anaconda sized trout.
 
WB / CLEANUP.

Jim,

A few things for you... Have we got confirmation from the land owners that this is going to be ok? Second, since this began as a cleanup, I'd prefer to leave it as a bunch of guys cleaning up, followed by lunch and fishing.

All others who fish the WB, please come and help us out. I know this is on Sept. 11th and some of you may have other obligations, but those of you who have no other obligations, why not come down to help. From my survey, if we can get 10 guys or more, we'll only be cleaning for 2hrs, max. There are car tires (in a neat little pile), a washing machine, and a bunch of other debris.

If you can help, please let us know who you are. My suggestion is to meet up in the McDonalds parking lot located in Hancock, NY, at 7:00am.

Some items that we will need:

1. Live healthy Bodies
2. Some sort of truck / pickup to haul stuff out.
3. A place to take the stuff we haul out (Jeff from the DRC offered the use of their dumpster for some stuff, I doubt that includes washing machines)
4. Work gloves
5. Garbage bags
6. Food
7. Drinks
8. ...please add items to the list.

I've got confirmation from an FUDR member that they are still donating 100 dollars to the cause. Jim Serio was looking into getting those sticks with the nails on the bottom to help pick stuff up. If anyone has anything else to offer, please do so.

I attempted to have one of these cleanups on a New Jersey stream once, and only 1 person out of 6 actually showed up. The two of us cleaned the entire 2 1/2 mile stretch of river up of all debris, but we were a bit disapointed that nobody else showed. Please, if you're going to sign your name here, have the courtessy to let us know at least 24hrs in advance of any cancellations. I don't want to be the only one cleaning up the place.
 
trashing

Dennis,
I plan on participating. I am not familiar with the exact location so could you please post directions to the trash.
(I don't think I will be able to make a 7:00 a.m curtain call)
Chris
 
trashing

Don't you think the Town would drop a dump truck off for a few hours? That would solve the extra headache of driving the stuff and unloading it. Hello.
 
From the Times Herald Record, 8/31, by David Dirks

"The annual cleanup on the Delaware River a few weeks ago was another great success. Sponsored by Kittatinny Canoes, this year's cleanup netted 11.87 tons of trash from the Delaware. This included 214 tires, 195 pounds of aluminum cans and 6.39 toms of scrap metal. More than 270 volunteers over a four-day period in July picked up this trash.
It's this kind of public effort that we should applaud. We need more efforts like this to keep our woods and waters clean. It's the price we pay for the ignorance of others."
 
Mayfly said:
From the Times Herald Record, 8/31, by David Dirks

"The annual cleanup on the Delaware River a few weeks ago was another great success. Sponsored by Kittatinny Canoes, this year's cleanup netted 11.87 tons of trash from the Delaware. This included 214 tires, 195 pounds of aluminum cans and 6.39 toms of scrap metal. More than 270 volunteers over a four-day period in July picked up this trash.
It's this kind of public effort that we should applaud. We need more efforts like this to keep our woods and waters clean. It's the price we pay for the ignorance of others."
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the tires at this location are still there, along with a bunch of other debris.

Glad you're in, Poacher... Mayfly, are you in, the more the better, and so far we've only got a small hanfull.
 
dcabarle said:
Unfortunately, the tires at this location are still there, along with a bunch of other debris.
Click to expand...
.........

Kittatinny does a very good job with their annual cleanup on the main stem.

However, they work on the main stem from Dingman's all the way up to Narrowsburg - that's about 70+ miles of river

They do not clean up the West Branch of the Delaware River since they have no operations or campgrounds there.

Those that help in cleaning up the garbage strewn along the banks of the West Branch should be appluaded for their efforts as stewards of their home waters.

It is too bad that the propery owners are not responsible for their mess and have others clean it up for them.

Tight lines,
TR
www.delawareriverfishing.com
 
Yikes Tony!

Give the guy a break. The least the fishermen can do for the property owner is to clean up his property. The owner is about 80 years old and has all he can handle just to mow his property.

He allows people to park and access the river on his property. The least we can do is help him keep it clean.

Hope to see you there next Saturday,

Jim
 
Big_Spinner said:
Yikes Tony!

Give the guy a break. The least the fishermen can do for the property owner is to clean up his property. The owner is about 80 years old and has all he can handle just to mow his property.

He allows people to park and access the river on his property. The least we can do is help him keep it clean.

Hope to see you there next Saturday,

Jim
Click to expand...
Jim,

Is there any way we can secure a dumpster somewhere?

I met the property owner 1 time. He was very accomodating and welcomed us onto his property. Like you said, when I met him, he was outside pushing his lawnmower. It looks like we've got 4 so far, Me, You, Cingras, and Poacher.
 
trashing

If someone could tell me the Town involved I would call them and see if they can drop a truck off....it's worth a try.
 
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