SHORELINES

26 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2016 Vol :4 Phifer and other H. Neely Henry Lake Association volunteers also assisted with the Etowah County cleanup, which took place Oct. 31- Nov. 3. Keep Etowah Beautiful Executive Director Lisa Dover said volunteers removed 8.4 tons of trash and debris, including a small fishing boat, 217 passenger tires, 49 truck tires, metal drums and lawn chairs. She added there was more debris this year due to the prolonged drought and flooding the previous Christmas. "Gene is just as involved now in the Etowah County cleanup as he was when he started it 17 years ago," Dover says. "Because of the passion Gene has for his community and for making a difference, this program has been very successful in Etowah County. He's a tremendous help to me because I know if something comes up on the river, all I have to do is call him, and he takes care of it." Along with its involvement in the cleanups, Phifer said the lake association is joining with Alabama Power and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to coordinate a fish habitat restoration program. The group is also in the early stages of planning an aquatic environmental education seminar for area high school students. Reflecting on the past 17 years, Phifer said he's not surprised by the success of Renew Our Rivers. "After that first meeting in Gadsden in 2000, we thought, 'You know, this thing might really spread,'" Phifer says. "With the enthusiasm in that room and in subsequent meetings, I knew we had something that had potential to move to other places, and sure enough, it has. It has worked because people want to get involved." Mike Clelland, Alabama Power Environmental Affairs specialist and the company's Renew Our Rivers coordinator calls Phifer a "visionary." "Gene saw a need and worked tirelessly to help that need be addressed through community awareness and action by helping to turn what started as humble into a huge volunteer- based program known as Renew Our Rivers," Clelland says. "In its 17th year, his vision is still growing today, with new volunteer groups continuing to get involved, and the enthusiasm couldn't be better. All because of one man and one vision. I am so thankful to be a part of this great effort." — CARLA DAVIS Above: Photo by wynter Byrd – Gene and Charlotte Phifer survey Neely Henry for any trash to be removed.

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