The Eastern Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation was one of three Regional Reforestation Planting Projects selected for funding by the Appalachian Coal Country Team.

As a result, reforestration will be incorporated into the design and reclamation of the 3.0 acre, Huber Breaker Preservation Society's Miner's Memorial Park in Ashley, PA.

The Huber Breaker Preservation Society was an integral partner in the application and will assist in the research effort through the assistance of volunteer members who will work with EPCAMR.

The group will provide staff and seasonal interns to monitor and provide the research data on the planting of 40 trees on the site.  Some trees will be planted in the traditional sense in a hole on the culm banks and others planted in the 20 Groasis Waterboxxes provided to the ACCT.

Pictures will be taken over time of the growth of the trees on the site. About 1.5 acres of the 3.o acres will be looked at for the spaced out plantings upon the visit of Alaina Asbury on July 3.

The funding of the trees and Waterboxxes provided are valued at around $400.00.

The Groasis Technology was developed and introduced by AquaPro Holland, a private company founded by inventor Pieter Hoff. It is a copy of how Mother Nature solves the problems of planting trees in deserts, eroded areas, and on rocks. A detailed explanation of the technology can be found on the company website.  EPCAMR believes this will allow us to restore ecosystems.

The Groasis Waterboxx was developed in 2009 as an 'intelligent water incubator' that produces and captures water from the air through condensation and rain. The condensation is caused by artificial stimulation and the water is captured because of the design of the device, without using energy.

This collaborative research effort will be involving both the ACCT and the Western Hardrock Watershed Team (WHWT) regions in order to document the Groasis waterboxx’s effect under different conditions.

Both OSM/VISTA Teams will be working with local community organizations to train volunteers to monitor the project and gather relevant research data.  The information will be analyzed and the viability/value of the Groasis Waterboxx will be determined.

By participating in this research effort, EPCAMR and the HBPS will be part of restoring ecosystems and creating productive greenspaces around the globe.

Currently, there is a monoculture of birch trees, quaking aspens, black birch, some white pines, and larch pines on the site that have voluntarily planted themselves on the 3.0 acre parcel over many years.

This project could change that monoculture and add more tree species and diversity to the site that could also enhance the wildlife habitat of the Miner's Memorial Park and enhance the natural beauty of the site.

Less black culm banks and more green trees will surround and encompass the Miner's Memorial Park over time during the reforestation and reclamation of the former abandoned mine lands and company homes that once lined this area. Landscaping is a part of the overall phasing in of the overall Park conceptual design.

EPCMAR is also incorporating low-impact stormwater management designs and beset management practies into the Park to reduce stormwater runoff on the site and allow for infiltration of rainwater into the soil within the Park that would be reused by the plants and trees. 

Although a forest won't be the end land use of the parcel, the creation of an urban greenspace in the Borough of Ashley at the Park will.  EPCAMR will be coordinating with our PA DCNR State Regional Forester, Nick Lylo, from DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry, as a Technical Advisor on the project, as well as the Alaina Asbury-Reforestation Coordinator for the ACCT.

EPCAMR will host many environmental education activities at the site throughout the year along with the involvement of the Huber Breaker Preservation Society to promote and educate elementary-aged students, high school students, regional photographers, amateur historians, and historic preservationists who are intrigued by the history of the Huber Breaker and its surrounding colliery grounds.

EPCAMR will shortly be in touch with Diane Madl, an Environmental Education Specialist with the PA DCNR Bureau of State Parks and Aaron Stredny, Watershed Specialist for the Luzerne Conservation District to assist us with our outreach efforts.

EPCAMR and the HBPS will promote the research effort process and interim results until the project is completed to the public and students who visit the site throughout the year.

EPCAMR will provide any brochures or materials available on the Waterboxxes technology to the public and will include information on our EPCAMR and HBPS websites, along with both organization's FaceBook social networking pages online.

EPCAMR will reach out to some of our community partners to assist us with the plantings as well to involve the local community in the project to get their hands dirty and allow them to say that they had a hand in planting the site and making the Park become a reality.

EPCAMR has already been in contact with many collegiate level environmental service clubs that we are sure would be willing to help from Luzerne County Community College, King's College, and or Wilkes University.

This project is a research effort and requires EPCAMR and the HBPS's constant participation.  Part of that participation involves reporting on the progress of the Groasis Waterboxxes at the site.  A total of four reports are required during the research effort and the project will conclude one year after the initial tree plantings.  This will require dedication from both EPCAMR, HBPS, and the volunteers to be trained.

Each volunteer project monitor will receive free training and assistance from the OSM/VISTA Reforestation Coordinator.  This research effort requires the involvement of a local forester at each reforestation site.  The forester will be available to aid in the analyzation of volunteer-collected data during the year the Groasis Waterboxxes are monitored.

A monitoring checklist will be provided which is to be used by the volunteers at each site visit.  The checklist must be strictly followed to maintain the credibility of the collaborative ACCT/WHWT/Groasis research effort.

EPCAMR and the HBPS  must submit one progress report every three months (total of four reports during the one year of monitoring).  This report will be part of a larger report submitted the Office of Surface Mining, VISTA, Groasis and other organizations.  The reports must be filled out completely and thoughtfully to contribute to the overall research effort’s credibility.  EPCAMR and the HBPS's participation is paramount in the success of this project.

To this end, a payment of $200 will be awarded toward the reforestation project.  A second award of $200 will be granted upon submission of all four reports.

For more information, contact Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director, for more details by sending email to: rhughes@epcamr.org or call 570-371-3523.

7/2/2012