METHUEN — A group that cruises the Merrimack River to help keep it clean is now offering people boat tours to see the eagles, hawks and herons that have returned.
The volunteer group, Clean River Project, is offering these guided boat tours of the river during afternoons and weekends so people can enjoy it and see the wildlife, said Rocky Morrison, president and founder of the non-profit volunteer group.
"The river is at the lowest point it has been in years," Morrison said. "This offers the opportunity to see more of the wildlife."
Morrison said the islands in the river are also scenic and that the tours could include a picnic stopover at one of them.
The purpose of the tours is to help defray the costs of operating and maintaining the boats used by the group for their clean-up activity.
Morrison pointed out that the cities and towns along the river do not contribute financially to the Clean River Project, and there is no grant money available to help defray the costs.
The group uses pontoon boats to go on the river and pull trash, medical waste and other debris from the water.
Morrison said the group is requesting a donation of $25 per person, or $100 for families of up to eight people.
The cruises depart from the former Bea's property on Riverside Drive and lasts 90 minutes to two hours, Morrison said.
People who would like to arrange a tour can call Morrison at 978-590-9374.
Morrison said the group is considering the idea of offering fall foliage cruises.
The river is the drinking water supply for Merrimack Valley communities and the surrounding area.
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