Pittsburgh River Cleanup Expands to Ohio River

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A major cleanup initiative in Downtown Pittsburgh has successfully removed approximately 120,000 pounds of debris, including dozens of sunken vehicles, from the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. The effort, led by the non-profit organization Living Lands and Waters, utilized a barge and excavator to extract items that had been submerged for over fifty years. Callie Schaser, the organization’s communications specialist, noted that this operation marked the largest number of vehicles retrieved from a single area. The vehicles, primarily from the 1950s to 1970s, were described as twisted and rusted, and will be sent to a scrap yard. The proceeds from the scrap will be reinvested into the non-profit’s ongoing environmental efforts. Schaser emphasized the importance of this work, stating that the removal of such debris is crucial for both public safety and wildlife health, as many of these items were leaching harmful substances into the environment. Living Lands and Waters plans to return for further cleanup efforts the first week of September, focusing on the Ohio River. Schaser indicated that the team will target additional debris, including boats, docks, and other unsightly items that have accumulated along the riverbanks. The organization aims to enhance the water quality and overall health of the local ecosystem through these continued efforts. The initiative highlights the ongoing need for environmental stewardship in urban waterways, with the potential for significant positive impacts on both human and wildlife populations in the region.