Rehabilitation Projects Day Sept. 21 on Occoquan riverfront

On Saturday, September 21, the Town of Occoquan will be holding its first Riverfront Rehabilitation Projects Day, timed to coincide with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. 

The centerpiece of the effort will feature residents, businesses, and nonprofits collaborating to improve the condition of the town’s waterfront.  The event falls under the rubric of a larger community engagement effort recommended in the Strategic Plan recently adopted by the Town Council.

Activity on the 21st will feature collaboration among a variety of groups.  The 501(c)(3) Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (PWTSC) will be hosting a clean-up of the riverfront behind the Occoquan Historical Society’s Mill House Museum, removing debris and trash, improving the path to the shoreline, and segregating mill ruins that the town plans to officially designate as an active archaeological site. 

Patriot Scuba, located at 305 Mill Street, will be sending scuba divers into the water to clean-up the riverfront below and along the waterline. 

In conjunction with that effort, shop staff will provide family-friendly “Project Aware” information about underwater conservation. 

Vulcan Materials will also be participating by having its staff remove debris from their dock complex on the Fairfax County side of the river.

Activities will start at 9 a.m. and continue through approximately 1:30 p.m.  Residents and visitors can participate by helping out or by simply observing part of the action from one of several convenient locations, including the town docks and the Nathaniel Ellicott footbridge.

The Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition welcomes volunteers to aid with the cleanup effort behind the Mill House Museum.  Individuals can simply show up but should wear sturdy shoe, gloves, and clothes that can get dirty.