Congratulations to the Friends of Lee Creek!

[DeBo]

First and foremost I want to thank John Pennington (AKA Halfton) for a great job in organizing the cleanup on Lee Creek. He did a fantastic job of pulling everyone together, getting this organized and making it happen.

We have a lot of new members, so I am sure not everyone is aware of how important Lee Creek is to all of us. Lee Creek is an Extraordinary Resource Water; one of several top quality streams designated by our state and protected by federal law. A recent change was made to state regulations in an attempt to make it possible to put a dam on Lee Creek. This change puts all of our most pristine streams at risk. The ACC and our conservation partners fought to make the new regulation as strong as possible but it has not been tested. It will be tested soon on Lee Creek.

The event this weekend was not only to clean up the stream but to also let everyone know that Lee Creek is treasure that we dare not take for granted.

Nearly 100 people came out to show their support for Lee Creek. Many came from the NW Chapter and the RV Chapter of the ACC. We also had some horseback riders and ATVers helping out. The group with the largest number of volunteers was that all time champion of streams; The Ozark Society. Hopefully we will do this again next year and more members of the ACC will pitch in. Maybe even some Central Chapter members.

I will leave it to John to say thanks to all the others who helped since I know I wouldn't remember every one.

Keep Lee Free!!

[Half Ton]

The event this weekend was not only to clean up the stream but to also let everyone know that Lee Creek is treasure that we dare not take for granted.

Well put DeBo !

I am very thankful that we had a great turnout at the Event.

The news said over a hundred volunteers came out, and I'm pretty sure we had close to 150 folks when you consider the people who did not make it to a registration table or the free food/ door prize extravaganza.

The event was on TV too ! There a a couple of ACC folks seen picking up trash and making good statements in the news footage as well.

http://www.4029tv.com/news/17411032/detail.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wow, such a great organizing team was key to this event ! Mike C. and Debbie D. (ACC) , Carla Spencer (Wash. Co. Conservation Dist.), Robyn Reed and Sophie Stephens (Wash. Co. Env. Affairs), Mike Harrison and Roy Estep (USFS), Rebekah Spurlock and Lucas Caldwell (Devils Den Park)

Then not to mention great volunteer groups from the ACC, Ozark Society, Sierra Club, and West Fork STAR Club (5th grade science students). Not to mention about 40 folks from the general public that just care about Lee Creek....plus all of our great sponsors.

Altogether this is a great group that knows how to play team ball. There is no doubt that the bar has been set high for next year, but I'm sure we can have even more turnout and positive impact next time for sure !

I am going to write a wrap up for the event and send it to some news agencies, our sponsors, and the stream team. If anyone has any pics that they took and would like to share please send them to Jhpennington@uaex.edu

Thanks all ! and again what a great team effort !

[Clif]

"I am going to write a wrap up for the event and send it to some news agencies, our sponsors, and the stream team."

Be a good contribution for the newsletter also???

[RichardL]

Hey a couple central chapter folks tried to make, but as I didnt get off till 0700 in hot springs, we could only make it to the food and paddle afterwards

Though I do truely applaud all of those individuals who gave their day to helping such a wonderful creek! May the river gods smile on you

Peace
Richard

[T-Town Yankee]

And lets not forget about those Tulsa guys.
We have to go somewhere for water

You just need to get up earlier Richard, we made it there on time
Maybe next time you too can find vintage Shlitz pull tab cans. Hmmm, maybe I should have sold those on E-Bay

[Cowper]

You just need to get up earlier Richard, we made it there on time

I think he was already up - I'm pretty sure he was working the night shift, and came directly from work when the shift ended.

But either way, Dustbowl Chapter folks probably walked away with the "long distance participants" prize.

[RichardL]

Thanks coop, your exactly right I/we did leave right after I got off work. And I did enjoy camping with you guys and the low water run on the mullberry.

syotr

[Karla]

I am sorry Gary and I wasn't there to help. I did have to work Saturday.
I am in hopes to make it up there someday to paddle Lee Creek. That is on my next to paddle list along with the Piney. I watched the video but it kept cutting off as Deb was talking. Darn, I wanted to see all the video esp. with our ACC folks who were involved.

Thank you to all the volunteers. Gary and I will involve ourselves at some time with a cleanup that is needed. Great folks to be involved with and to paddle with.

Karla

[Z-yak Davis]

[You just need to get up earlier Richard] We new you were working Richard, Daves just messin with ya. Besides, you and Shannon didnt miss all the cleaning, we made a hell of a mess Satuday night, and left a clean campsite. Had a geat time and looking forward to next weekend. And as for the "Long Distance Award", I got the last shot of Patron. Might have something to do with how I was feeling Sunday morning. Oh yea, did you remember to check the lost and found? See you guys at vous.

[RichardL]

Yea we located the case, or should I say Fish located it for us

[sugarmtngal]

Awesome job and a big thanks to all of our volunteers! Wish I had been there to assist with the clean-up!

[Mike Peerson]

I was not able to be there, but thanks to all that were. Lee Creek is extraordinary.