Annual spring cleanup planned for Snake River Canyon's north rim
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TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District staff will join the Southern Idaho Off-Road Association, Magic Valley ATV Riders and Jerome County on Saturday, May 18, to clean up the north rim of the Snake River Canyon.
Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to join the cleanup effort, which will begin at 8 a.m. and wrap up around 2 p.m. Participants should bring rakes and square point shovels to help with the cleanup. Trash bags will be supplied.
Volunteers should plan to meet just north of the Perrine Bridge and east of Highway 93.
Each spring for the past 20 years, these organizations and volunteers have gathered to pick up trash that collects year after year. “This area is important to all of us who like to recreate out here,” said Josh Martin of the Southern Idaho Off-Road Association. “It’s a bit disheartening that we need to come back each spring to tackle the yard waste, garbage, and trigger trash that tends to accumulate out here. Thankfully, we have a great group of committed volunteers and sponsors.”
“This clean up provides a good reminder that this area is the people’s park and we want to keep it safe and clean in its natural state for all to enjoy,” said Jerome County Commissioner Charlie Howell.
Coastline Equipment Rental donates the use of its heavy equipment to haul out the huge volumes of trash, and Southern Idaho Solid Waste donates roll-off dumpsters to aid the cleanup efforts.
Shoshone Outdoor Recreation Planner David Freiberg noted this cleanup effort as one that has changed the appearance of the North Rim. “As the North Rim area is so easily accessible to a wide variety of users from both Twin Falls and Jerome Counties, it seemed everywhere you went there was a mountain of water heaters, tires, refrigerators, garbage sacks, construction waste, and dead animals. Thousands of acres have been cleaned up and have remained relatively clean,” said Freiberg.
Unfortunately, several areas within the Snake River Canyon Park continue to be littered with illegally dumped trash. These areas will be the focus of Saturday’s events, which will allow numerous volunteers the opportunity to take part in keeping their public lands clean, safe and beautiful. Volunteers for the cleanup should plan to dress in layers, wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves and sunblock. The Southern Idaho Off-Road Association will provide pizza for lunch for the volunteers.
Additional sponsors for the cleanup event include KOTO Brewing Co., Twin Falls Sandwich Co., Treasure Valley Coffee, and PSI Environmental Systems.
For additional information, please contact Josh Martin of the Southern Idaho Off-Road Association at (208) 308-2078.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.