May 1998
May 2000  (link)

Watauga River Cleanup...
Ten Years of Success
     The Overmountain Chapter and North American Fibers, Inc., celebrated ten years of concern for the environment with the Annual Watauga River Cleanup, Saturday, May 16.  More than one hundred individuals registered for the event.  More than two tons of trash was removed from Watauga and Doe rivers.
     Lynn Smith, who has served as the organizer of the event each year, expressed his appreciation to the participants.  “Many of these individuals and organizations have supported the cleanup from the very first year,”  he said. “Without the support of individuals and organizations, volunteer efforts, such as stream cleanups cannot succeed.”
     “I especially appreciate the members of the Chapter  Resource Protection Committee,” Smith continued. “They stepped in and filled the void left by the reductions at North American Fibers.”
 Smith noted that the cleanup has enjoyed good weather  each year. “During one or two cleanups, the weather was a bit chilly, and once or twice it sprinkled.  But  we have been blessed with generally good weather.  We have never been forced to cancel the cleanup due to flooding or inclement weather.”
     Water quality and environmental exhibits focusing on water resources conservation were provided by Watauga Ranger District of  the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Elizabethton High School Ecology Club, EMPE, Inc., Erwin National Fish Hatchery, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), TVA, and the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  Trash bags and gloves were provided by TVA and America Outdoors.  Waste Management provided a large dumpster.
     Immediately following the cleanup, several prizes were given away to participants in a drawing.  Prizes were donated by Appalachian Angler, Boone, NC; Holston Angler, Piney Flats, TN; Hunter Banks, Asheville, NC;  Little River Outfitters, Townsend, TN; Mahoney’s, Johnson City, TN; O’Delly’s, Elizabethton, TN; Pal’s, Elizabethton, TN; Rustlers, Elizabethton, TN; Smoky Mountain Trout Farm, Hampton, TN; and the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN.
     Other organizations supporting the cleanup were: American Limestone, Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts, Carter County Landfill, cities of Elizabethton and Johnson City, Elizabethton City Schools, EMPE, Inc., First Presbyterian Church, Scouts, and Quest  Recycling.
     The Annual Watauga River Cleanup is held on the third Saturday of May each year, and in conjunction with National River Cleanup Week each year. Headquarters for the cleanup are in the Covered Bridge Mini Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

South Holston Cleanup Success
    The Annual South Holston River Cleanup continues to attract support. Participation in the 3rd annual cleanup, April 24,  was up to 54 from 35 in ‘97.
    High water levels in reservoirs prohibited TVA from providing a low flow for the cleanup.  Yet, the volunteers removed three tons of trash, three propane tanks and forty tires from the stream banks and roadside.  Considering conditions, this was better than  expected.  This was about the same  amount of trash as  collected last year.
    TVA, TWRA, TU and the Forest Service provided exhibits and literature. The TVA Land Management Office, Kingsport, provided bags and gloves.  Cox Disposal, Bluff City, provided dumpsters and trucks, and hauled the trash to the Sullivan County Landfill.
    Individuals and organizations deserving special  recognition include: Bill Beazell and the chapter Resource Protection Committee; Donna McAninch, Malinda  Leonard, and Carrie Kegley from Hickory Tree community; TVA representatives Pam Langsford and Jan Mayes; Steve Kyziakidis and Roger Stevens, Forest Service; Mike Canter and Jake Canter,  Sullivan County EMS; and David Lane and Mike Boatright from TWRA.
     Organizations providing prizes  and supplies included: Appalachian Angler, Boone Lake Association, Coca-Cola of Bristol, Cracker Barrel of Abington, Foscoe Fishing Company, Holston Angler, Hunter Banks, Little River Outfitters, Mahoney’s, Virginia Creeper Fly Shop, North Western North Carolina TU Chapter, and TVA.

Burleson Memorial Stream Cleanup

Approximately 30 people attended the ceremonies dedicating the Annual Roan Mountain Stream cleanup to Todd Burleson Saturday, August 15.

Representatives from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Nature Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Overmountain Chapter, and friends and members of the Burelson Family, participated in the event.

The participants gathered at Burbank Free Will Baptist Church during the morning for the stream cleanup which preceded the dedication ceremonies.  More than  four pickup truck loads of trash and litter were removed from Burbank Creek, Cove Creek and Doe River above the Roan Mountain State Park.

Following the cleanup and lunch, a brief memorial ceremony was conducted.  Chapter President Ken Chase presented plaques to Todd's parents, Bob and Gail Burelson, and Todd's widow, Donna. a third plaque will be displayed at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor's center.

Chase said,  Todd will be remembered for his uncommon generosity and  concern for area streams. Among Todd's lasting contributions are: Organized the Roan Mountain Stream Cleanup;   In 1995, donated a guided fishing trip for a Chapter fund raiser which netted $790 toward improvements in the South Holston weir dam, and;  Freely gave  advice and encouraged others. Todd will also be remembered for his love of fly fishing and his love of rivers and streams.

Ernie Blankenship, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Environment and Conservation,  presented Todd's parents with a special Letter of Appreciation, signed by the Governor,  honoring Todd's memory and conservation efforts.

Bill Beazell, Chairman of the Resource  Management Committee, expressed his appreciation for the use of the church fellowship hall and pavilion.  "We appreciate Charles Jarrett for securing the use of  the Church," he said. The church pavilion along the streams of Five Prong provided a beautiful setting.
Beazell was pleased with the support  from the Roan Mountain Community. He  hopes to see the citizens of Roan Mountain support and participate in  future cleanups.

May 13, 2000
  Watauga River/Carter County Clean Streams Clean Up
Our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the Carter County Clean Streams/Watauga River Clean-up May 13th. Attendance was up by about 20 over last year. We had a total of 92 participants, including 35 young people under 18.

Also encouraging was the participation of a number of folks for the first time, including some members of the Appalachian Paddling Club, and good participation by the Chamber of Commerce.

 The Chapter is especially grateful to the local businesses and industries that lent their financial support by providing funds for shirts and caps as well as prizes for the drawing at the conclusion of the clean-up.  Approximately two tons of trash was picked up.

It's great to see the numbers up, but we could still use a lot more folks to get the job done more completely. There's still plenty of river to be covered.

Photos provided by Paul Anderson.