Yellowstone River Research Center offers to remove debris from Riverside Park, submits indemnity waiver

Guests from the Yellowstone River Research Center told the Laurel Park-Tree Board on June 4 they will remove legacy trash from the east side of the berm at the Rod and Gun Club range in Riverside Park and offered an indemnity/waiver for the City to consider. The minutes identify the speakers as Chuck Hull and Jack Sterling and note an attached proposal letter from Kayhan Ostovar, professor and director of the Yellowstone River Research Center at Rocky Mountain College.

Ostovar's attached letter, included with the meeting record, says the center has conducted river cleanup work for about 20 years and states, “to date we have removed nearly 400,000 lbs. of trash” and that the group has removed more than 35,000 lbs. this year. The letter describes non‑excavation removal methods: volunteers would use a truck‑mounted winch, cut items flush when needed, and ideally back a trailer past a large boulder that would be moved temporarily to access the site and then returned. The letter also offers to sign indemnity waivers for volunteers and provides a contact email and phone number for coordination.

The minutes record that the group presented an indemnification form as an attachment; the form states volunteers shall indemnify and hold harmless the City against claims arising from volunteer negligence and includes signature and guardian fields for minors. The board received the proposal and its attachments; the minutes do not record a formal vote or action to authorize work or to accept the waiver. The proposal letter and waiver are part of the meeting materials for City review and any subsequent action by Laurel Public Works or City Council.