Grant to go to cleanup of rivers

Mystic - Clean the Bay, a Rhode Island nonprofit organization that works to remove large debris from waterways and shoreline areas, announced Monday that it will use a $69,700 federal grant to work with Save the Bay to begin removing debris from the Mystic and Pawcatuck rivers.

The grant, which comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will be combined with additional private funding to ensure that clean up efforts continue.

With the help of local partners and volunteers, Clean the Bay has removed more than 1,750 tons of debris such a tires, abandoned boats and furniture from the shorelines and waterways of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut over the past six years.

Stonington-based Clean Up Sound and Harbors said it will help the two groups identify locations that need cleanup while the towns of Groton and Stonington have agreed to help dispose of debris. The groups will also be enlisting volunteers in the effort.

A press conference detailing the work and plans of Clean The Bay and CUSH will be held at Mystic River Park on Thursday at 9 a.m.