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Trout Unlimited in Pennsylvania is offering technical assistance to watershed and other groups involved in abandoned mine drainage projects throughout Pennsylvania fund by a Growing Greener grant.

Using the successful Kettle Creek model of applied research, on-the-ground restoration, and community outreach, Trout Unlimited is expanding its existing network of partnerships to work on AMD issues beyond northcentral Pennsylvania and is now able to reach out to offer technical assistance to other groups throughout Pennsylvania to address the effects of pollution from abandoned mine drainage.

The types of free technical assistance being offered includes--

· Rapid characterization of mine drainage;

· Rapid watershed assessment;

· Conceptual design of passive treatment systems;

· Construction oversight;

· Existing treatment system evaluation and recommendations; and

· Other, as treated on a case-by-case basis

In order to provide top-quality technical assistance, Trout Unlimited has partnered with Hedin Environmental, Inc., one of the leading consulting firms that specialize in the assessment and treatment of AMD pollution.

Additionally, for technical assistance requiring coldwater fisheries and habitat restoration assessments, Trout Unlimited offers the expert services of its Stream Restoration Specialist, Jim MacCartney, who works on river restoration throughout the nation.

Since 1998, Trout Unlimited has been working through its national Home Rivers Initiative with a local watershed association and a host of other state, federal, and private partners to address AMD issues in the Kettle Creek watershed in northcentral PA.

How can you get started? Easy, just contact Amy Wolfe of Trout Unlimited at awolfe@tu.org or 570-726-3118. You can also simply fill out a request form online.

Information on abandoned mine drainage problems throughout Appalachia is available in a new report by Trout Unlimited—Restoring the Wealth of the Mountains, Cleaning Up Appalachia’s Abandoned Mines.

7/15/2005