Amicalola Cleanup - June 13, 2009

Members of Trout Unlimited's Gold Rush Chapter celebrated the 50th anniversary of the national organization of Trout Unlimited (T.U.), by coordinating a cleanup effort, June 13th. Work was performed by 16 participants consisting of both chapter members and volunteers. The cleanup task was conducted along a section of the Amicalola River, a coldwater trout stream, situated within the Dawson Wildlife Management Area. This particular tract was acquired several years ago by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR); large discarded items of trash & sections of several junk automobiles were located on the property at the time of purchase. T.U. members filled a donated 10 yard dumpster with items varying from miscellaneous trash and garbage to large objects like a rusting & perforated automobile door, and a wringer-type Kenmore washing machine. Items too large for removal will be covered with nearby tornado damaged trees, which will at the same time create a wildlife habitat. The cleanup effort was part of a cooperative and continuing partnership with the Georgia D.N.R., Dawson County, and private supporting partners.

The Mission of the Gold Rush Chapter is to conserve, protect, and restore the coldwater fisheries and their watersheds in the North Georgia area, while concurrently assisting the Trout Unlimited national organization at the national level. Members of the chapter are primarily residents of Lumpkin, Hall, and Dawson Counties. In addition to fishing the area trout streams, the chapter is involved with wide ranging projects such as stream improvement, brook trout habitat restoration, clinics & programs on basic through advanced fly fishing techniques, and educational partnerships with area high schools and universities. The chapter meets the first Tuesday of every month at Camp Glisson, Dahlonega, Georgia.

A list of the T.U. member volunteers is as follows:  Bill Hess, Marge Ruppel, Fred Ruppel, Pat Pattillo, Ben Trail, Henry Johnson, Sherman Head, Ken McKinnon, Deborah Scott, Gordon Brand, Emile Foisy, Richard Trotter, Steve Dotson, Jennifer Dotson; Also a special thanks to nonmember spouse volunteers:   Beni Gail Head & Cheryl Hess.   

Thank you to Evans Garbage of Dawsonville for providing the dumpster. Also, thanks to the Dawson News and Advertiser and the Dahlonega Nugget for helping us publicize the event. 

More photos of the cleanup can be found in our Photo Gallery.