Dog River advocates to highlight positives, not trash

 

For one, the river seems to be the epicenter of the city's stormwater runoff woes ever since a video emerged a couple years ago that documented a trash-filled Dog River. Ever since, public perception on Dog River has taken a hit.

So, too, has the local taxpayer's wallet in the form of a lawsuit by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and purchases related to new litter traps. Other expenses might also be forthcoming, including a taxpayer-funded litter boat.

The leadership of the Dog River Clearwater Revival group hopes to change the narrative into something a bit more positive, and they plan to start doing so Tuesday before the Mobile City Council.

The group will go before the council during its 10:30 a.m. meeting to promote its scenic "blueway" kayak trail. A slide show will be presented highlighting the five kayak launch sites at different points along the river.

"We want to promote it and let people know about," Claire Wilson, president of the group, said Monday.

Wilson said that while litter remains a problem for Dog River, the kayak trail – made possible through a state grant – is something "positive" that the group wants to speak about.

"We need to focus on some positive aspects of Dog River because it's so beautiful," Wilson said. "It's right in the middle of the city of ...more