The West Michigan Environmental Action Council will know later today how much trash around 200 people cleaned up from the banks along a 10-mile stretch of the Grand River Saturday.

After rescheduling from its original Sept. 18 date, WMEAC hosted the seventh-annual “Mayors’ Grand River Clean-Up” Saturday where Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, Walker Mayor Rob VerHeulen, Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and Grandville Mayor James Buck called their respective citizens to assist in the effort to keep the Grand River grand.

Kristi Klomp, the water quality programs manager for WMEAC, said on the WMEAC website the yearly volunteer turnout demonstrates the importance that West Michigan places on the environment.

“The Grand River Expedition and the events in Calhoun County have made local water quality a top-of-mind issue this summer,” she said. “The Mayors’ annual river clean up is one of the most popular of several undertakings WMEAC has initiated to build advocacy for the Grand River and enhance its character. The hundreds of volunteers that come out each year is a testament to how important the Grand River is to the character of our community and how important protecting the environment is to its residents.”

Last year’s effort yielded 16,000 pounds of fast food wrappers, cigarette butts, fishing equipment, flyers and other trash. Heartwell said his group found at least 450 cigarette butts along the banks.

“I keep coming out here and hoping that we don’t find anything,” he told the Grand Rapids Press.

The event was rescheduled after rain and lightning posed a threat on Sept. 18.

[email protected]