New York State Canal Clean Sweep
The Good Ole Boys Junior Bassmasters Club (GOBJBM) participated on Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19 in the 4th Annual Canal Clean Sweep campaign for the New York State Canal System.
The kick-off for the Fourth Annual Canal Clean Sweep weekend in recognition of celebrating (2009 Earth Day), began on Friday morning, April 17 at the Aqua Vino Restaurant/Museum on the Erie Canal in Utica, New York.
This Canal Clean Sweep campaign, in preparation for the upcoming 184th consecutive navigation season on the New York State Canal System was partnered and sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation, Parks and Trails New York, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB). New for 2009, the CPB and Confidata of Utica, NY, co-sponsored and hosted a day of FREE shredding for the general public.
Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. The waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.
Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello opened the 11AM press conference and was joined by EFC Acting President Matthew Millea, CPB Chairperson and Executive Director Mindy Bockstein along with Park & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin.
On Saturday morning, our Good Ole Boys Junior members traveled to the Three Rivers area, east of the old County Route 57, beginning with the boat launch ramp site beneath the 481 overpass and began picking up debris both along side the waterways as well as the roadside. Colorful tee-shirts, trash bags and bottled water were supplied to us from the Canal Corporation free of charge. When we completed our Clean Sweep of the area we loaded the twelve large plastic bags, along with a gas tank, paint cans, chairs, tires alongside other cast-off and loose debris unto our pick-up trucks for 3 separate trips and delivered the material to the appropriate town facilities.
Below are some photos of the GOB parents, senior members and juniors in action during Saturday's Canal Clean Sweep.
One of the multi-community groups across our New York State Canal System that participated in Canal Clean Sweep were aptly named the Clay CHAOS Canal Pirates. This group, proudly dressed in their pirate gear is headed up by Chrissy Clancy. Chrissy was kind enough to invite our group to join their group for pizza, salad and music at Canal Lock E-23. The festivities were sponsored by the Town of Clay . A personal tour of the unique canal pump-house was provided by Lockmaster Pete.
On Sunday morning, our Good Ole Boys Junior members traveled from Central Square to the the Phoenix Lock E-1, located in the middle of the town of Phoenix, NY.
Below are some photos of the GOB parents, senior members and juniors in action during Sunday's Canal Clean Sweep.
Thank You
Many thanks must go out to all the parents, the Good Ole Boys senior club members and our junior club members that re-arranged their schedules (on short notice) so they could participate in this Canal Clean Sweep weekend.
Thanks as well, need to go out to Wally Elton, Project Director of Parks & Trails New York for working with me after the March deadline for registration had already expired. Thank you to Neil Vellone as well, for handling the required work permit on short notice. A big thank you goes out to Lockmaster Pete Case for calling Albany and making our group aware of this important Canal Clean Sweep program.