The River Lady' prepares for final year

As Rebecca Kress looks at the photos from this summer's 19th annual Russian River Cleanup, she is amazed at what she sees. "It looks more beautiful than I've ever seen it," she muses.

The river looks nothing like it did when Kress was challenged 20 years ago to stop complaining and do something about the garbage and pollutants she noticed. Since then, Kress and a loyal cadre of volunteers have devoted countless hours pulling hundreds, if not thousands of tons of refuse from the watercourse which is the drinking water and recreation area for countless individuals, and one of the most significant wildlife habitats in the region.

Kress is retiring after the 2010 cleanup, and no one involved doubts her water shoes will be hard to fill.

Charlie Kelly volunteered from the beginning. "There were three Rotarians on that first float," remembers Kelly. "We used to find tires and iron thrown into the river, ostensibly for stream bank protection." Early on, it wasn't unusual for each off of 10 cleanup teams to pull 300 tires from the 50-mile stretch of river. Last summer, a total of four tires were removed.

Kelly and Kress speculate what will happen if no one assumes her coordination role after her retirement. "The non-access areas are clean and will most likely stay clean, but from Hopland south there could be a disaster," says Kelly.

Kress is speaking with the Mendocino Environmental Center, an organization many feel would be ideal, both administratively and philosophically, to assume responsibility for future cleanups.

"The MEC is very keen to assure that the great work done by Rebecca is continued - her efforts have shown just what a difference a passionate individual can make," says Hannah Bird, president of the Mendocino Environmental Center.

Conversations between MEC members and Kress are cautiously optimistic.

"I hope very much that this will become a project of the MEC in the future - although of course it will take volunteers from all over to help. The Russian River is one of the few watercourses we have access to and it needs to be respected. We hope to combine raising awareness of water pollution as an issue as well as contributing to cleanups," explains Bird.

Charlie Kelly notes in the past, the MEC has not directly supported the river cleanups, but feels there are many environmentally conscious organizations and individuals who will help out once a leadership group is identified.

Kress is committed to passing on all her knowledge and expertise to incoming organizers.

"I will lead them through every step of the process and turn over all my equipment as well as give them my ideas and suggestions," explains Kress.

The cleanups take advance preparation, and Kress notes traditionally she determined the dates for each cleanup at the beginning of the calendar year- which is coming up quickly.

"We need to begin soliciting donations, obtaining and maintaining our equipment," notes Kress.

Over the years, Kress developed positive and lasting relationships with all the landowners along the river.

"Ninety-five percent of the river areas are privately owned," notes Kress. She says without their support and permission, the cleanups would never have taken place.

Other supporters - Granite Construction, Chief Ken Johnson of the Hopland Fire Department and particularly, Bob Thornsberry of Empire Waste Management, have provided tremendous assistance.

"For 19 years, Bob has taken all our trash, appliances and toxins. He provided porta-potties, dumpsters and a free storage container for all our supplies. The community owes a huge debt of gratitude to Bob and Empire Waste Management," Kress said.

Not all river cleanups have been idyllic. Kress and her volunteers discovered and in some cases removed everything from meth labs to auto scrapping businesses, countless piles of human excrement, diapers and toxic waste- headed, stressed Kress, "into our water supply."

Kress has singlehandedly, with a landowner or with Supervisor John McCowen - who she terms "a true friend of the river" - rousted out transients, found unattended children swimming alone, and removed graffiti from overpasses.

Kelly hopes the continuity and positive relationships Kress has fostered will not disappear.

"If we can keep people from re-trashing the river, we have a chance. Keeping it clean is easier than cleaning it in the first place," he notes.

The MEC, according to Kress, will be much more likely to assume responsibility if others come forward to give them support. Kelly hopes that high school clubs such as Interact might be willing to spend some time on the water.

"All we need is a good dozen to 20 people to come to each cleanup, plus a group to make sure all the T's' are crossed," says Kelly.

Kress will continue her work with schools - informing students of the importance of their water sources.

"I try to find positive ways to give scary news to kids, but always with solutions," says Kress. In the meantime, she hopes that individuals, service clubs, churches and other agencies will consider what they are willing to do to preserve one of the county's most significant and singular resources.

"Let's start the local drive to keep Rebecca's river alive," smiles Kelly.

If you would like more information on helping with river cleanups, phone 707-463-4589.