The Renew Our Rivers program continues to make a difference all over Alabama. Volunteers, students and local residents achieved a major milestone by pulling 7.17 million pounds of litter and household trash from Alabama and southeastern rivers from 2000 to 2006. This spring alone, 816 tons pounds of trash (1.63 million pounds) were removed from waterways in Alabama and the Southeast.

Renew Our Rivers, the southeast’s largest organized river cleanup, which began in Gadsden in 2000, continues to make major improvements in the appearance of local rivers and shorelines with the help of more than 6,000 volunteers.   

“Outstanding, what more can be said,” said Willard Bowers, vice president of Environmental Affairs at Alabama Power. “I am proud that this program continues to be the catalyst for other efforts and serve as a springboard for new cleanups each year.”

In 2005, during the spring and fall cleanups, 1,071 tons of trash was pulled from the rivers. To put this in perspective, the first year of Renew Our Rivers netted 43 tons of trash.

Renew Our Rivers has won numerous national and local awards from Keep America Beautiful and others. This spring, the National Hydro Power Association recognized Renew Our Rivers and awarded the project an Outstanding Stewardship of America’s rivers designation for innovation, extensive partnerships and environmental stewardship.

This fall begins the second round of cleanups under the theme A New Beginning. The nine detailed fall cleanup schedule is listed:

Aug. 5              Farley Nuclear Plant (Chattahoochee River)

Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Gordon Boat Ramp. A picnic lunch will be held at the cleanup at Omussee Park following the event.

Contact: Shelley Murrell, Farley Nuclear Plant, (334) 899-5156, ext. 2418, samurrel@southernco.com                   

Aug. 19            Holt Reservoir (Black Warrior River)  

The event will be at Rocky Branch Park in Peterson off Highway 216 from 8 a.m. to noon, followed by a picnic lunch celebration.

Contact: Gerald Capps, (205) 553-8359 or Kellie Johnston, Black Warrior Clean Water Partnership, (205) 264-8461

Sept. 14-16    Smith Lake (Cullman County)

Site to be determined.

Contact: Debbie Berry, Smith Lake Environmental Preservation Committee,

(205) 823-0015

Sept. 25-30   Village Creek (Birmingham area)

The community cleanup will be on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Contact: Dr. Mabel Anderson, Village Creek Society, (205) 798-0087

Sept. 30        Lake Martin (Tallapoosa River)

Contact: Arnold Lindsay, Alabama Power, (256) 825-3104 or Tammy Jones, (256) 234-5271, ext. 3

Oct. 2-7          R.L. Harris (Lake Wedowee) 

The Saturday cleanup on Oct. 7, will be at Highway 48’s boat ramp from 8 a.m. to noon.

Contact: Bob May, Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association, (256) 357-2656 or Shelia Smith, Alabama Power (256) 396-5093                                               

Oct. 16-18     Smith Lake (Walker County)

This cleanup will take place during the week. Volunteers will meet at the Smith Lake Dam boat launch.

Contact Jim Beason, (205) 387-2654 or Jim Sanders (205) 221-7446, Smith Lake Civic Association

Oct. 20           Locust Fork (Black Warrior River)

Miller Steam Plant employees will assist with this cleanup, with volunteers from the community.

Contact: Bart Blevins, (205) 488-2011 or Eddie Borders 205-488-4106

Oct. 28           Lake Mitchell (Coosa River)

The cleanup will be held at Higgins Ferry Park from 8 a.m. to noon followed by a picnic lunch.

Contact: Johnye Woodrow, Lake Mitchell Homeowners and Boat Owners Association, (205) 425-9431, (205) 663-4196 office, or ajwking@aol.com

For more information about Renew Our Rivers and details about Alabama Power’s other environmental initiatives, please visit www.alabamapower.com.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), owns and operates 14 hydroelectric generating plants in Alabama, providing clean, low-cost electricity. The facilities also provide more than 157,000 acres of water and more than 4,000 miles of shoreline for the public's use and enjoyment.