National Public Lands Day: Clearwater River Clean-up

Just after the sun peeked over the walls of the Clearwater Canyon on a blustery September morning, an armada of BLM River Patrol boats from the Cottonwood Field Office was ready to embark on the day’s mission. Three rafts full of cadets from the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy set out to clean up a five-mile stretch of the Clearwater River. This program, affiliated with the National Guard, provides structure, discipline, and education for youth seeking positive growth. BLM staff and volunteers captained two cat rafts and a duckie to help support the cleanup mission.  

With the best turnout yet for the Clearwater River Clean-up, 24 cadets took a brief moment to synchronize their paddling before setting off downstream. It wasn’t long before they were elbow-deep in dirt and ash. The Gwen Fire, which burned approximately 30,000 acres earlier in the year, had torn through the area, leaving most clean-up zones void of vegetation. Black soot soon covered the faces of cadets, resembling war paint, as they prepared to tackle the trash and debris, some of which had been there for over 20 years.

The absence of vegetation on the landscape allowed cadets and volunteers to see items that would have otherwise remained hidden. This led to a record amount of waste being collected during the Clearwater River Clean-up Day. Cadets removed over two truckloads of trash and debris from the river corridor. Notable finds included stove pipes, boat anchors, tents and tarps, around 15 tires of various sizes, and a crosscut saw with a patina that could only be achieved by sitting on a riverbank for years. The cadets completed all this hard work with smiles on their faces and a contagious can-do attitude. 

More was gained than just cleaning the river. Cadets had the opportunity to experience river recreation, many for the first time, and enjoy the thrill that comes with it. They got their toes wet on some Class II rapid sections of the river—just splashy enough to put smiles on their faces. There were outdoor educational moments, as well, with wildlife sightings of a few snakes, a deer, and a river otter. Cadets witnessed both the devastation that a wildfire can have on a community and the resilience and recovery of nature in response to disasters. Perhaps the most rewarding part of the day for the cadets was the cookout at the end of the workday. 

The Clearwater Management Council (CMC) hosted the cookout, providing everyone with plenty of burgers and sides at the BLM McKay’s Bend Recreation Site. Members from U.S. Senator Risch’s office, McKay’s Bend volunteer camp hosts, the Idaho County Commissioners, and Idaho County Search and Rescue took time out of their busy schedules to set up, cook, and serve cadets, volunteers, and staff. The CMC capped off the event by graciously donating $400 to the Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy Foundation. 

This event not only had a positive impact on the river, but also left a lasting impression on all those involved. The cadets, volunteers, and BLM staff will remember this experience for a lifetime. The BLM Coeur d’Alene District Office would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this event possible. The Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy, CMC, volunteers, BLM staff, and former BLM River Rangers LuVerne Grussing and Kyle Caldwell were all instrumental to the event's success. Rebecca Urbanczyk, the outdoor recreation planner, who founded and coordinates the annual Clearwater River Clean-up, has built a community that fosters stewardship of BLM-managed public lands, provides education and personal growth, all while having fun and cleaning up a cherished Idaho resource. "Love It and Leave It Clear.”