Jordan River cleanup efforts expand

Saturday, while many students were anticipating the start of the IU-Michigan football game or enjoying the unseasonably sunny weather, about 35 students spent almost two hours in different sections of campus picking up trash and debris from the Jordan River and recording the condition of the riverbanks. \nLed by Penney Waggoner, coordinator of the Council for Environmental Stewardship, the group focused on returning the natural beauty of the Jordan River to a state of ecological health and balance. The group stressed the importance of the river as an animal habitat.\n"Something I'm sure a lot of people aren't aware of is that there are actually a lot of fish in here," freshman Melissa Kennedy said.\nThe University has agreed to increased levels of street vacuuming in the vicinity. Also, two new storm water filters have been purchased that absorb oil from the water.\n"We want to see how effective they are, and then try and purchase more," Waggoner said.\nShe also said an emphasis on erosion control is an important consideration. \nIn coordinating future projects to meet this larger set of goals, Waggoner said she wants to look into enlisting the support of student groups to keep the river clean and adopt stretches of the river and make a commitment to cleaning it on a weekly basis.\n"We need as many students as we can get to help form groups to clean up campus," Waggoner said.\nCharlie Matson, council member and physical plant engineer, said the council should encourage everyone on campus to work together on environmental projects.\n"I want to see us help encourage different departments to find or assist in projects where students can help in work that makes campus more environmentally friendly," he said.