Amador County - Nearly 250 volunteers worked along and in the Mokelumne River from Pioneer to Lockeford in Saturday’s Mokelumne River Cleanup. This largest-ever group of cleanup volunteers picked up nearly 8,000 pounds of trash and recyclables on about 28 miles of river and reservoir shoreline, making the Mokelumne and Camanche Reservoir a healthier, more attractive place for people, wildlife and fish.

The cleanup was part of the annual Great Sierra River Cleanup and California Coastal Cleanup Day. “We were especially glad to see so many young people picking up trash along the Electra Run,” said Foothill Conservancy Executive Director Chris Wright. “We’d like to thank them, their parents, and their teachers and advisors, as well as everyone else who gave their Saturday morning working on our beautiful Mokelumne River. We hope everyone will take the next step now and support permanent protection of the river through National Wild and Scenic River designation.”

“EBMUD is proud to a part of this annual event,” said Kent Lambert of the East Bay Municipal Utility District.” We would like to thank the many sponsors who help with this event every year. Most importantly we want to thank all of the volunteers who give their time and energy to keeping California’s waterways safe and clean for everyone.”

“We were glad to see less trash at Electra this year than last,” said Conservancy Cleanup Coordinator Randy Berg. “People seem to be littering less, or cleaning up after each other. Either way, it’s good news. Maybe one day these river cleanups will be obsolete.”

 Foothill Conservancy has been holding Mokelumne River cleanups since 1991. This year’s cleanup sponsors also included the East Bay Municipal Utility District, Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail Council, Mokelumne River Outfitters and Camanche Recreation Company. Business sponsors include ACES Waste Services, California Waste Recovery Systems, New York Fitness, Martell Safeway, Pine Grove Market, Martell Starbucks, and Munnerlyn’s Ice Creamery. The Great Sierra River Cleanup is sponsored by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and a number of businesses and organizations.

For more information, contact Randy Berg at 209-295-4900, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.foothillconservancy.org.

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