River cleanup set for Saturday

It is one of the popular traditions on the Sacramento River, but the semi-regular floating parties between Hamilton City and Scotty's Landing in Butte County have also caused a lot of damage to the area for many years.

However, locals on both sides of the Glenn and Butte counties stretch of the river want that to change.

"It's a pretty simple idea," said Cody Burrows. "If you go floating, at least just pick up your own trash and, hopefully, fill up another trash bag or can, too."

Those sentiments from the Willows native currently attending Butte College is the impetus behind what is hoped to be a massive cleanup effort on the river beginning Saturday afternoon.

"It's not really your typical cleanup day," said event organizer Bob Floyd.

Floyd is the founder of the Float Chico, an informational web source on just about all things related to socializing on the Sacramento River in Butte and Glenn counties.

The 25-year-old Chico State student said Saturday's efforts, which kick off at 3 p.m., will coincide with a regular Float Day and said the main purpose is still just to have fun.

"But, bring a garbage bag and fill it up, too" Floyd said.

Floyd, a Long Beach native who moved to the area several years ago for college, said river parties and floating are a popular tradition for Chico State students, and despite the common belief that most problems are caused by tourists, Floyd said locals need to do what they can to preserve the recreation spot.

"We want you to go about your normal day, but this time, if you see a beer can floating by, take it and throw it away," Floyd said.

That is good news for area residents like Burrows and Chico's Amanda Morgan.

Morgan, 20, is a lifelong Chico resident who loves to float on the river as much as possible and said the trash and garbage are depressing.

"No matter what group (I go with), it is always fun," Morgan said. "I will be attending with a lot of my friends for the cleanup, and I think the cleanup on Saturday will be successful. Beer Can Beach is pretty messy right now but it's not going to be hard to pick everything up."

The foul human waste and massive amounts trash and broken glass left rotting in the summer sun has long plagued law enforcement, especially on holiday weekends when river traffic is much heavier.

Over last year's Memorial Day weekend, the Glenn County Sheriff's Office reported 20,000 people took to the river in Hamilton City over a two-day period.

Sheriff Larry Jones said he was pleased to hear that locals are taking initiative.

"If it's a sincere effort, I'm all for it," Jones said.

Other law enforcement and public safety officials were also curious to see how the event turns out. It is not that law enforcement doubts the sincerity of the "Float Chico" crowd, but the size and scope of the project is massive.

"And there is a lot of cleanup that needs to be done that they simply won't be able to do," Jones said.

The river bottom is reportedly peppered with sunken floating contraptions and deflated innertubes, the popular rocky sandbar dubbed Beer Can Beach is constantly littered with broken glass bottles and other waste, including human feces, Jones said.

"I think that whatever they can do to help would be most commendable," Jones said.

Floyd said he agreed with law enforcement concerns and acknowledged that after years of unchecked river abuse, it is going to be an uphill battle.

This is just the beginning, Floyd said, and other similar cleanup days are already in the works for the end of August, and again after Labor Day — one of the largest floating days each year.