Friends of Little Rocky Run

May 15, 2010 - Ben Bolash's Eagle Scout Project - Clean the Tributary That Flows Under Sequoia Lea Road in the Little Rocky Run Watershed

Ben Bolash organized a clean up of an un-named tributary stream that begins above Clifton Road, winds its way under Union Mill Road, New Braddock Road and Sequoia Lea Drive before joining the main channel.  (This junction is about 100' above the footbridge nearest to New Braddock Road, see bottom photo).  This section of the watershed had never been cleaned before.  The tributary was clogged with tires, construction debris, and the usual cans and bottles.  It was also full of brambles, poison ivy, chiggers, and ticks. The area presented numerous obstacles to the clean up crew.  When the project was finished the stream was once again, for the first time in decades, a pleasant little brook meandering through thick woods.

In the photo at left, Ben stands beside the first truck load of trash hauled to the Ox Road Transfer Station.  The final trash tally included: 26 bags, 7 tires, 2 wooden pallets, 1 - 8' metal sign post and sign, 50 linear feet of 2X6 boards, 1 - 3' diameter iron ring, 1 plastic tricycle, 2 bicycles, 1 car battery, and 1 half gallon container of motor oil.   All of the metal was recycled, the oil taken to hazmat, and the battery taken to the battery drop-off.  Minimum weight of all was 1200 lbs. In the photo at right, Ben and Jason Milton load a car battery. Batteries can be disposed for free at the Ox Road Landfill so there's no excuse for dumping them in the woods.

Ben is a member of Boy Scout Troop 577 and, as always, a strong cadre of volunteers showed up.  Volunteers included: George Bolash, Marge Bolash, Jason Milton, Nick Zempolich, Chris Zempolich, Drew Boland, Jacob Bowman, David Yu, David Chung, Patrick McGinty, Sam Muggleworth, Steve Frate, Chip Helme, Kevin Carroll, Tom Marotta, Andy Marotta, Mari Marotta, Paris Marotta, Brian McLenigan, Mike McLenigan, Andrew McLenigan, Becky McLenigan and Ned Foster. Troop 577 deserves special thanks for its on-going contributions to the local community.  Thanks also to the Navy Federal Credit Union whose grant money pays for our disposal fees.

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