UPDATE (7/12/2008): Mike Gray and Misa Cady organized a successful river clean up held Saturday the 12th. One team cleaned from Old 27 bridge downstream to DeWitt's Riverfront Park, and the other cleaned from the park to DeWitt Twp's Herbison Rd park.

Over 250 pounds of trash were collected including: a leather sofa cushion, large chunks of styrofoam, a 15" tire rim, bottles and cans, and dozens of plastic containers. Workers shared a healthy lunch - after washing up thoroughly. Feshwater Future's Grants Program funded the clean-up. FLG supporter Claire Treat completed the grant application.

The clean up crew (picture here): Gloria Miller, Bob & Kathy Bishop, Mike Gray, Ione Berg, Claire Treat, Misa Cady and Dave Whittaker. Kathy & Bob Bishop head in with a canoe loaded with trash (picture here).

During the clean-up, members came upon a storm drain outfall (outlet into the river) that had collapsed into the river in the previous few hours perhaps as a result of the heavy rains on the 10th and 11th of July. The site is located between Riverfront Park and River Trail Parks, on the north side of the river on a highbank.

FLG board members documented the structural collapse and the eroded soils that slid into the river and notified the City of DeWitt, The Clinton Co. Drain Commissioner's office and others, in an attempt to find which entity has jurisdiction and to get a fix in the works. Photos show the initial collapse and the temporary fix installed by the City.

DeWitt: The Friends of the Looking Glass (FLG) have been awarded a $350 grant by the Freshwater Future's Grants Program, for a July 12 clean up of the river. Any one interested in assisting in the process should show up at DeWitt's Riverside Park at 9:30AM Saturday, July 12th, 2008. Canoe or row your own vessel to help clean up from Old 127 to Herbison Road.

The goal of the Freshwater Future grants program is to provide financial support to strengthen the advocacy role of individuals and community groups working locally to protect and restore shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes Basin.
Website info: www.freshwaterfuture.org.

FLG supporter Claire Treat wrote the successful grant application. Garbage bags, gloves and lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact Mike at (517) 420-6236 or Misa at (517) 333-2160.
Website info: www.lookingglassriverfriends.org.

Bob Bishop
FLG Communications Dir.