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The Friends of Pool 9 (FOP9) Board of Directors has decided to cancel the Mississippi River clean up scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011. Following extensive discussion the Directors cited the following reasons for cancelling the clean up for this summer: consequences of continued high water on landings and access points, lateness of the clean up date (area beaches will already have been cleaned for recreational use before Memorial Day), and weeds will hide island debris. In addition, many volunteers already contacted have prior commitments for that date and will not be available.

Friends of Pool 9 will be involved in an island restoration project with the US Army Corps of Engineers on the June 11, 2011 date and will need volunteers. In an attempt to stabilize the navigation channel and reduce erosion of the bordering islands the Corps has developed a plan to plant trees on the islands in immediate danger of erosion. In May, 2010 a group from FOP9 assisted the Corps in planting and staking 500 trees on an island across from Black Hawk Park. The project scheduled for June 11, 2011 continues the planting of another 200 trees in the same general area.

At least thirty (30) volunteers are needed to complete this project. Volunteers will be provided gloves and water, and should meet at the Corps Landing at Black Hawk Park by 7:30 AM on June 11th. All participants will be covered by a limited liability insurance, be provided a personal flotation device (life jacket) and given a Safety Briefing prior to leaving the landing. The event will conclude at 12:00 Noon and a sack lunch will be provided all volunteers by Friends of Pool 9.

Volunteers should wear a hat, long sleeved shirt and pants, and bring sun screen. This is a great community conservation project to protect and preserve the natural resources of the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, and is a major goal of Friends of Pool 9. We ask all community members bordering Pool 9 assist us in this endeavor.

All participants will sign the registration form and volunteers under 18 years of age must have a signed Parental Authorization Form as well. Volunteers should call Glen Springer (563-538-9232), Al Wuennecke (563-544-4929), Jerry Boardman (608-648-3588), Larry Quamme (608-734-9077), or Mark Schneden (608-874-4478) to offer to help.