Three Rivers Cleanup by Floating Armada

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
18 September 2011
By Lawrence Walsh

Call it a river roundup. Paddle Without Pollution, a new not-for-profit organization of kayakers and canoeists, will launch from at least three locations at 9 a.m. Sept. 24 to collect waterborne trash bobbing along the banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.

It's an ambitious, first-time self-funded project for the organization -- there are 26 miles of shoreline within the city limits.

"We hope to have at least 60 paddlers of nearly any paddling skill level to get into shallow areas that many boats cannot [enter], and areas that land-based clean-up crews cannot reach," said David Rohm, 43, of Scott, executive director of the organization.

Paddlers will enter the Allegheny from the channel side of the Three Rivers Rowing Association, slide into the Monongahela from the launch ramp just downstream from the Birmingham Bridge and slip into the Ohio from the Westhall Street launch near Woods Run.

Rohm, an art director who co-founded the organization with his wife, Melissa, 43, an editor-writer for a local corporation, said the goal is to have each paddler collect at least three bags of trash. The bags will be loaded aboard a pontoon boat and a fishing boat and unloaded on the Allegheny River side of Point State Park. The three-hour project is co-sponsored by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with assistance from Allegheny Greenways, Three Rivers Rowing Association and Venture Outdoors. On-shore volunteers also are needed.

"As paddlers, we have an intimate relationship with [the rivers]," he said. "We see the garbage and other debris that not only reflects badly on our area, but also poses a threat to human health, wildlife and the health of our economy. . . . Our waterways are the lifeblood of our region. They create countless jobs and provide recreation for thousands of people."

Rohm said the organization will provide trash bags, gloves and a snack. He asked paddlers to provide their own boats and "a willingness to get a little dirty, have some fun and make a difference."

For more information and to register for the event, go to www.paddlewithoutpollution.com, e-mail

paddlewithoputpollution@comcast.net.