Workers will haul six cars out of the North Platte River today and Saturday, along with chunks of cement, rebar and any other objects foreign to the river.

Saturday morning marks the second annual Platte River Revival. Keep Casper Beautiful Director Jolene Martinez says she plans for roughly 500 volunteers.

"We are bigger, we are smarter, and we are putting more trees back in," Martinez said.

Last year, the city removed hundreds of the nonnative Russian Olive trees from banks of the river, with plans to begin replanting this year.

Martinez said the city has more than 90 trees ready to plant in the Tate Foundation picnic area, where the majority of the Russian Olives were located last year.

The new trees will be native species chosen by the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Martinez said, and the local Can-Do 4-H group took charge of the project.

Many of last year's sponsors came back this year to help again, including 71 Construction, a local construction and excavation company.

"We are committed to this thing," said 71's owner, Ken Schulte. "It's a great community effort. I was impressed with all the volunteers last year, and we will have a good showing this year."

Last year, his company removed large objects from the river including an old, rusted, flat-bed pickup, and he has large concrete slabs to remove this year.

Martinez said several cars will still remain in the banks of the river after this year's cleanup because they serve to stabilize the banks. Eventually, the city will be able to remove the cars and restabilize the banks, but that project will come later.

Volunteers will work in teams either on the shores of the river -- removing garbage and carrying pieces of Russian Olive trees -- or on the river, pulling foreign objects from the areas that aren't accessible from land.

Saturday's event begins at Mike Lansing Field. After registration and a brief safety talk, volunteers will begin on their assigned sections.

Martinez said volunteers will work on 17 shore sections and eight in-water portions between Evansville and Paradise Valley.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com



To attend

To register or for more information call 235-7562 or visit www.platteriverrevival.org.

The cleanup begins with registration at 9 a.m. in Mike Lansing Field and a free barbecue lunch for all volunteers at noon.

The city recommends volunteers wear long sleeves, long pants, sturdy shoes, gloves and safety glasses if they have them.

Most of the Platte River Parkway will be closed during the cleanup.