Riverfront trash problem bigger than first thought

September 28, 2015 Uncategorized
Some of the trash and articles thrown in the St. Lawrence River, like this shopping cart, are in an area where it's not safe for staff with the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences to retrieve. They have made a public appeal for divers to help clean up the river. Click photo to enlarge. (Photo/St. Lawrence River Institute)

CORNWALL – Cleaning up garbage in the St. Lawrence River near the harbour has proven to be a bigger job than first thought.

“We have been examining the situation in some detail and we will probably need to engage some divers due the location and depth of the water,” said Karen Cooper, spokeswoman for the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences.

“We initially thought we could get in with waders or a canoe or zodiac but neither will work in that location.”

The river institute took the lead on looking into the cleanup after the garbage, along the trail section behind the Weave Shed to the west of McConnell Avenue, was drawing complaints.

Cooper said, adding to the problem are chained municipal garbage bins that “routinely get knocked over.”

Kevin Lajoie, spokesman for the City of Cornwall, had earlier said the city has cleaned up along the shoreline on an infrequent basis. A person from the city was to inspect the area.

If you’re a diver that can help out, you’re asked to contact the river institute through their Facebook page.

A spokeswoman with the river institute said city garbage cans, like this one chained by the Cornwall Waterfront Trail, are routinely knocked over, adding to the trash problem in the river. (Photo/St. Lawrence River Institute)
A spokeswoman with the river institute said city garbage cans, like this one chained by the Cornwall Waterfront Trail, are routinely knocked over, adding to the trash problem in the river. (Photo/St. Lawrence River Institute)

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