Thanks for the reply all. Since we started the Chilliwack River cleanup program in 2002, hundreds of volunteers have done 29 group cleanups. As Metro Vancouver population grows rapidly, some of us have lost optimism that we first had when getting the program going. Schools don't want to take responsibility of their students action at overnight camp grad parties, even a lack of interest in stressing the importance of clean-up prior to the summer holiday.
The Fraser Valley Regional District and City of Chilliwack have worked pretty proactively on stopping this, but they are simply moving the problem elsewhere. Overnight camping and parking is now prohibited along the river up to the hatchery so this type of behaviour has pretty much disappeared. The problem has now shifted to upstream from the hatchery (where these photographs were taken). I can see camping also banned in those areas in the near future, but that would just create dumping sites elsewhere.
Anyway, after the above two uplifting paragraphs I'd like to mention that World's Rivers Day is coming up next Sunday. There are events happening all over and we will also be doing one on the Chilliwack River if anyone is in the area. We're doing a river cleanup from 9am to Noon, followed by a BBQ, entertainment and draw prizes.
http://www.cleanrivers.ca/events.html
