Rounding up the refuse

A trashy reunion on the Delaware River

By SANDY LONG

BARRYVILLE, NY — Eighteen years, 7,491 tires and 332 tons of trash later, the Delaware River is a different—and much improved—waterway. That accomplishment is thanks to the hard work of countless volunteers, a committed livery and, more recently, the National Park Service, all of whom have made the annual river cleanup, initiated by Kittatinny Canoes founder Ruth Jones, a huge success with positive long-term outcomes.

Jones, who will turn 76 this year, has seen many familiar faces return again and again for the annual event. She welcomed participants back on July 21 for the first of three days devoted to removing tires and trash from the Delaware River.

Much like a family reunion, volunteers greeted one another, caught up on the past year and welcomed first timers. Joe Bushell, known to the group as “Papa Joe,” has been participating in cleanups for the past 17 years, bringing his children and grandchildren along in hopes of fostering a strong environmental ethic. “In our group, everyone gets a river name,” he said. “River Rat, Whitewater Willy—you earn a name for volunteering.”

Bushell remembers helping to remove the frame of a Jeep from the river one year. And though he’s lost count of the hundreds of tires he’s removed, when it comes to claiming the title of tire recovery champ, no one dares to trespass on Ruth’s claim to fame. “She never met a tire she didn’t want out of the river,” said Bushell. “The Jones family has done a fantastic job taking care of the river.”

Another woman, who returns for the annual trek, said she’s seen steady improvement in the river and in people’s habits. “It makes people more aware of the impact of their actions when they see us coming down the river with our canoes filled with trash.” She also cited the bonus of seeing wildlife, such as eagles and herons, along the way.

Vidal Martinez, superintendent of the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, cited the long history of the cleanup and its positive impacts on scenic beauty and safety for river users. He described the effort as a “great partnership” between the volunteers, the livery and the National Park Service. “It sends a great message about everyone’s commitment to protecting the river,” he said.

Having just returned from a national conference focused on connecting Americans with the resources of the National Park system, Martinez noted, “We don’t seem to have that problem here. You’re a perfect example of what that represents.”

Known for her river activism and her familiar phrase, “It’s MY river,” Jones reminded the group that every individual makes a difference when they take action. “Can you imagine what that river would look like today if that trash was still there?” she asked.