The Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation has taken large efforts towards cleaning up local streams affected by abandoned mine drainage throughout the Anthracite Region.

Staff and interns from EPCAMR have developed alternative beneficial uses of Iron Oxide that is being recycled after harvesting, extraction, and drying from the Lackawanna and Susquehanna River tributary streams.

A very popular program developed by EPCAMR is making recycled Iron Oxide chalk with local elementary students from what was once a pollutant in our local streams. Recent chalk programs with local schools were sponsored in part by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resourced and the National Park Service.

Funding from this grant allowed EPCAMR to reach out to over 1,400 students in 6 months and teach them how they can help in EPCAMR’s efforts to restore streams impacted by past mining practices.

LHVA granted EPCAMR $500 which went towards chalk molds, plaster of Paris, the printing of the chalk boxes created by the EPCAMR Staff and cups. These supplies were then used at several local schools to create the Iron Oxide Chalk.

Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director of EPCAMR and author of the successful grant stated enthusiastically, “The Iron Oxide Chalk making process is relatively simple. Add dried Iron Oxide powder to a Dixie cup half full of Plaster of Paris, add tap water, and mix until smooth.

Kids then can choose any kind of mold to pour to create the chalk which usually takes a few hours to set up and harden. Kids chose from molds that looked like stars, fruit, sports, fossils, trees, hearts, frogs, flowers, smiley faces, lady bugs, and peace signs.

The grant paid for dozens of molds which can also be used for making chocolate candy. Sometimes, the kids want to eat the chalk because they look like candy, but we strongly advise against the temptation”, he says with a laugh.

The first program sponsored by the LHVA grant was with elementary aged students from Wilkes-Barre Boulevard Townhomes at the John B. McGlynn Learning Center for Martin Luther King Jr’s Holiday where approximately 23 kids participated.

During Earth Week the chalk program was also conducted with 75 college students from Luzerne County Community College. On Earth Day, EPCAMR conducted another chalk program at Wilkes-Barre Riverfront Park with nearly 1,000 students from dozens of school districts in the area.

There was a chalk program conducted at Bear Creek Elementary Charter School’s After School Program, Luzerne County, with 12 students. EPCAMR also reached out to Greater Nanticoke Area Elementary School where the entire 3rd grade class consisting of 200 students participated in an Iron Oxide Chalk Talk Program.

Another program conducted through the LHVA grant was with John Marshall Elementary 4th Graders in Scranton, PA where 60 students participated. EPCAMR even got 25 Wilkes University Freshmen students involved in making chalk for EPCAMR while learning about service learning and volunteer opportunities with our non-profit organization.

Some of the chalk made at these programs was then donated back to EPCAMR. Some was donated back to the students who made the chalk, while the rest was donated to Malikar High School, overseas. Malikar High School is a new school opening in Afghanistan where EPCAMR has a friend in the Army who is helping to rebuild Afghanistan schools and infrastructure.

A 10 pound box of Iron Oxide chalk containing over 1000 pieces has been donated to Malikar High School as an opening gift for the school and will be presented to the students during their dedication of the school Summer 2009. Students who participated in the Chalk Programs were told about the chalk donation to Malikar High School and were glad they could help other children who had no chalk or resources to learn.

EPCAMR expresses our greatest appreciation to all those who participated in our Iron Oxide Chalk Programs and a special thank you goes to the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Park Service for sponsoring these efforts to help clean up our streams by recycling the iron oxide by making chalk and conducting other children’s activities.

EPCAMR plans on continuing to do the Iron Oxide Chalk Talk programs when school starts in the Fall 2009.

One 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Haarmeyer, from John Marshall Elementary, stated, “Thank you, Mr. Hughes, once again, for presenting to our 4th grade class. We welcome your return in the next school year, for the original program as well as AMD Tie Dyes. You take pollutants and transform them into an educational, artful experience for children. You were able to weave your scientific and geological knowledge of Northeastern PA into an exciting journey. Every 4th through 6TH grade student in the Lackawanna Valley should be encouraged to attend one of your AMD Iron Oxide Chalk Talks. Every business that relies on clean tap water should be encouraged to support Mr. Hughes’ Project at EPCAMR.”

For more information, visit the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation website.