AMD Conference Steering Committee (L to R) Bruce Golden, Deb Simko, Mark Killar, Mike Hewitt, Sara Tumulty, Tom Clark (hat), Robert Hughes, Adam Fletcher and Tom Grote.

Over 200 people attended the 6^th Annual Statewide Conference on Abandoned Mine Reclamation this week in Indiana. Technical sessions drew the most attendance, with new and older watershed groups learning how they can better combat acid mine drainage in their areas.

The conference is organized by the Eastern and Western Coalitions for Abandoned Mine Reclamation-- a partnership of county conservation districts, DEP, other state and federal agencies and over 225 watershed organizations-- with a variety of conference sponsors .

This year’s event also featured the first awards given out by the Steering Committee of the conference to recognize local partners. Six awards were given out, three in the east and three in the west to—

Lackawanna River Corridor Association and Bernie McGurl for their initiatives to not only cleanup acid mine drainage, but spearhead the development of trails, a comprehensive regional plan and conduct environmental education programs.

Mountain Watershed Association in Fayette and Washington counties has worked for 10 years on mine drainage issues completing three major projects with two more pending along with an active riverkeeper and water sampling program. They were represented by Jerry Gearhart, vice president and charter member.

Friends of the Nescopeck, a young, growing group in Luzerne County with an active water quality sampling program and watershed stewardship program that is gathering local support for dealing with their largest mine acid problem the Jetto discharge.

Roaring Run Watershed Association in Armstrong County is a well-established group with a very active membership involved in everything from water quality restoration, recycling, land preservation, trail development and river cleanups.

Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association in Wyoming County was recognized for their strong education and outreach program on mine drainage, acid rain and sewer overflow issues.

Wells Creek Watershed Association in Somerset County is just four years old but has already seen results from its three restoration projects which this year resulted in putting trout in the stream that has been dead for over 100 years. They were represented by Thurman Korns.

Scott Roberts, DEP Deputy Secretary for Mineral Resources Management gave one of the key note addresses at the four day conference, highlighting again the need for Congress to reauthorize the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program.

6/11/2004