Contributed byFerillo and Associates, Inc.

Mayor Bobby Horton of West Columbia speaks of the Congaree Blue Trail at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater June 2.

American Rivers, in partnership with the River Alliance, dedicated the Congaree River Blue Trail as the nation's first under the American Rivers' Blue Trail Initiative on June 2, 2007.

The Congaree River Blue Trail runs 50 miles from Columbia/West Columbia to Bates Bridge (Highway 601) Landing adjacent to Congaree National Park.

The dedication took place at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheatre.

Bobby Horton, mayor of the City of West Columbia and member of the Board of Directors of the River Alliance, has worked diligently to make the Congaree River an accessible resource for everyone. "Five years ago, the banks of the Congaree were filled with trash and overgrown with kudzu," said Mayor Horton during the dedication ceremony. "Since the West Columbia Riverwalk opened in 2002, and the extension in November 2006, the river has become part of our community's routine and lives. We are happy to open up another resource, the Congaree River Blueway Trail."

According to Gerrit Jobsis, director of Southeast Conservation for American Rivers, more than 100 people attended the ceremony, a grand success despite blustery, rainy conditions. The primary goal of the dedication was to raise awareness of this new Blueway. "People are really beginning to understand how important this asset is to the region," said Jobsis, "and how vital it is to assure it will be enhanced and protected."

After the dedication ceremony, about 40 people in 40 boats began the inaugural, four- mile paddle down the Congaree River to the Cayce landing. This event took place during the Grand Finale of the "Three Days for Three Rivers" celebration, which included river clean-ups at numerous sites on the Congaree, Saluda, and Broad Rivers as part of National River Clean- Up Week.

For additional information on the Congaree River Blue Trail, including maps and put in/take out locations, please call the River Alliance at 803-765-2200 or visit www.riveralliance.org .