Tug River tire cleanup removes 363 tires

Crews and volunteers load waste tires into a canoe during a recent cleanup of the Tug Fork River between Borderland and Nolan. The project removed 363 tires, bringing the eight-year total to 19,634 tires removed from the river. (Courtesy photo)

CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

NOLAN, W.Va. — Crews and volunteers removed 363 waste tires from the Tug Fork River during a recent cleanup targeting a shoal between Borderland and Nolan, bringing the eight-year removal total to 19,634 tires.

A crew from the Stream Sweepers Clinch River Project launched canoes and jon boats from the Borderland river access site. Local volunteers and Coalfield Development trainees entered the river from the Kentucky side near the shoal, according to Friends of the Tug Fork River.

Crews pulled tires from the shoal while Stream Sweepers collected additional tires from the river and moved them downstream to the cleanup site.

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection REAP workers and Collins Services LLC then winched the tires up the riverbank, loaded them and hauled them away for disposal.

A volunteer removes a waste tire from a shoal in the Tug Fork River during the recent cleanup near Nolan. Local volunteers, Coalfield Development trainees, Stream Sweepers Clinch River Project, West Virginia DEP REAP and Collins Services LLC took part in the effort. (Courtesy photo)

Friends of the Tug Fork River credited the South Williamson Walmart with providing a grant to help cover project expenses and Starters Sports Bar & Grill with donating food for volunteers and workers.

The organization also thanked Garfield Thacker for allowing crews to use his property during the cleanup.

“We appreciate Garfield Thacker for allowing us to use his property today,” Friends of the Tug Fork River said. “We’ll be back to work soon. Watch for announcements of dates and locations.”

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