The Department of Environmental Protection reported significant water quality improvement in the Little Conemaugh River this week as a result of a unique private-public partnership with the Rosebud Mining Company at St. Michael, Cambria County.

The treatment plant began operating in mid-July for a test period under a  groundbreaking Consent Order and Agreement with the company to treat the St. Michael discharge, enabling Rosebud to build and operate the facility.

(Photo: Don’t have to say which is “before” and which is “after.”)

Under the agreement with DEP, Rosebud is responsible for all costs to treat the mine pool water, utilizing best available technology for the life of the mining operation. The company has also agreed to make annual payments to a special trust fund, which will be used to permanently pay the operations, maintenance and recapitalization costs for the discharge treatment facility once mining is completed.

The company estimates that the current St. Michael discharge is responsible for as much as 44 percent of the total acid mine drainage load to the Little Conemaugh River. By lowering the mine pool and treating the water in the St. Michael shaft, Rosebud will be able to access the coal reserves, which the company estimates will take up to 40 years to mine.

Click Here to view a DEP presentation on the St. Michael’s project.

9/16/2013