BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Volunteers waded into the Tug Fork River this month to haul out hundreds of discarded tires.

Their efforts continue a very successful program that has transformed stretches of the waterway over the last few summers.

Friends of Tug Fork River organized two recent “Tire Tug of War” events along the West Williamson flood wall, drawing residents to help drag the rubber waste from the current.

On Aug. 12 and Aug. 19, participants pulled 615 waste tires from the river.

“We hope to host four more Tire Tug of War events this year,” said John Burchett of Friends of the Tug Fork River. “Check our website, friendsofthetugfork.org, or our Facebook page for information and updates.”

Future cleanup dates are scheduled for September in the Slaters Branch, Borderland and Nolan areas. Burchett said volunteers will again be needed.

Since 2019, the program has collected a staggering 16,798 waste tires from the Tug Fork — debris that once scarred the riverbanks and threatened the ecosystem.