Between November, 2003 and February, 2004, Herb Howe, by kayak and by hiking, collected all of the styrofoam on the East Shore into about 50 piles as shown on this map. The Bureau collected about 10 of these piles by truck, a substantial removal. Most of the remaining piles were not accesable by truck but, being on the shoreline, required pickup and removal by boat. The Bureau was reluctant to use their large new work boat for this purpose. So before ending his winter stay at the lake, Herb sent out a request for volunteers with boats to bring the piles from the East Shore to the West Shore and to leave them where the Bureau could cart them away by truck. This request was sent to Monticello Resort, Berryessa Marina, Spanish Flat Resort and to the California Department of Fish and Game (which administers the East Shore Wildlife Area in partnership with the Bureau).

Peter White, a co-owner of Monticello Resort, reponded positively, stating that Monticello would be delighted to help. Monticello would send crews across the lake in the Monticello work boat to bring the piles back to the resort. Instead of leaving the piles for disposal by the Bureau, Monticello would compress the styrofoam with a garbage truck and then take the loads to a landfill near Davis at $200 per load. Monticello would cover all expenses for this volunteer effort. This major contribution to the styrofoam cleanup effort is to be highly commended and continues a long tradition of Monticello contributions to the lake.

The Monticello crews documented their efforts with photos. Here is a selection of these photos, kindly provided by Peter White.

March 1, 2004

Typical Pile | Boat Load to Dump

First day of collection by Monticello Resort. Piles on Gamble Point and immediately south along the shoreline were removed.

March 6, 2004

Pile S21 Onshore and Heading Out

More boat trips made on March 6 when piles S10, S19, S20, S21 and several buoys were collected.

March 9, 2004

Working a Pile | Lots of Loose Buoys

Piles S22, S23, S27, S28, S29, S33, S34 (about 20 cubic yards of foam!) removed by Monticello boat. Several dozen loose hazard buoys were also collected from the East Shore.

March 11, 2004

Styrofoam Comes in Many Shapes and Configurations

Piles between E12 and E14 removed by Monticello boat.

March 16, 2004

Buoy Removal | On the Way Out of the Watershed

Most remaining piles removed by Monticello boat on March 16.