City of Pocatello encourages volunteers for Saturday’s Annual Portneuf River Cleanup

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The City of Pocatello is gearing up for an annual volunteer opportunity– the Portneuf River Cleanup. The river is one of the city's biggest natural resources and assets for tourism. Representatives say the event will continue for years to come to maintain its natural beauty.

Pocatello's assistant planner, Jennifer Flynn, said the river is completely underutilized and an excellent economic tool for the city. "We're encouraging folks to come and pull mainly trash out of the river. We'll do a little bit of removing logjams or any big debris," Flynn said. "For the most part, we're focused on trash."

Flynn said that in years past, volunteers have pulled items as big as wheelbarrows and shopping buggies out of the river. Because of that, volunteers are encouraged to bring power tools and winches attached to vehicles to haul out large items.

"I'd encourage folks to wear shoes that are good for the water and clothes that are okay to get dirty," she said.

The city will provide gloves, trash bags, and garbage picker tools. Volunteers and city officials will meet at the Pacific Steel and Recycling Trailhead at 10 a.m. on Saturday and work until noon.

They will strategically place dumpsters across the Greenway for people to dispose of trash. Flynn says it's an effort to get more people out on the river in all its beauty.

"We just want to keep it free of debris and litter to make it beautiful for both wildlife and for people that want to enjoy it," she said.

Flynn also said people can bring a canoe or kayak to help remove trash from the water. There are several places along the river where you can launch them into the water.

"Volunteering in our community is such a great way to meet new people and also just to be engaged in things going on," Flynn said. "If you're an advocate for using the river or outdoor activities in general, it's a really fun way to contribute."