After more than two years and close to one million pounds of garbage, the various groups working to clean the North Platte River are seeking funding for a formal, long-term plan.

The city's Keep Casper Beautiful program applied for a $70,000 grant through the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust. If received, the grant would pay for a consultant to help create a master plan for the public sections of the river from one edge of the city to the other.

As the city makes initial preparations for its third Platte River Revival in September, its officials are also thinking of long-range possibilities.

"We have a plan now, because we know what we need to be doing and we have all the public/private partnerships there, but what we want is a plan written down where we all agree on a vision," said Jolene Martinez, the city's Keep Casper Beautiful director. "It's thinking smarter and directing our energy even more."

The plan would consider what would be best to do in the short term, such as continuing to remove blocks of cement and oil barrels from the river. It will also consider what needs to be done for the long term, Martinez said, like possibly breaking up the pieces of cement and placing them back in the river covered with rocks for fish habitat.

It will also combine all groups from the Platte River Revival Partnership who decide collectively what would be best for all aspects of the river.

If awarded, the Platte River Revival board would use matching funds raised from donors and previous events to compile the necessary $140,000. Two Fly Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting corporate philanthropy, has given the board $45,000 during the last two years and Wood Group ESP contributed another $27,000 on behalf of the citizen's of Wyoming.

Michelle Thompson, a spokesperson for Two Fly, said the foundation is committed to the Platte River and its future sustainability. She helped craft the grant along with representatives from the Bureau of Land Management and Wyoming Game and Fish.

"They want to get a master plan in tact so they can go about it the right way so they can complete their projects," Thompson said. "We will be involved the whole way."

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com.