The Chartiers Nature Conservancy is holding a public meeting on December 13 in Carnegie, Allegheny County to report on a plan for eliminating abandoned mine drainage from Chartiers Creek.

The engineering plan culminates four years of work by Hedin Environmental and GAI Consultants, under the project management of CNC, that began with the first reassessment of old mine discharges in 35 years.

In June, 2005, they reported their study of the chemical impact of these discharges and how each discharge affected the creek chemistry in order to target remediation efforts on the most severe.

"At this meeting we will report engineering concepts for rehabilitating this unique local community asset that is unlike any other stream in Allegheny County," explained John Hamm, CNC Project Manager. "Treating these discharges will make the creek safer for people who recreate on the creek with boating and fishing and healthier for aquatic life."

AMD is the major threat to clean water in the lower Chartiers Creek and watershed. It degrades the healthy ecology of the water, and changes the color from normal to brown below Bridgeville in its remaining 15 miles before it empties into the Ohio River at McKees Rocks. There are nine major old coal mine discharges that enter Chartiers Creek between Bridgeville and Carnegie.

One discharge fouls four miles of Millers Run before it enters Chartiers above the Prestley Road bridge.

The Chartiers Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization formed in 1992 and committed to promoting, preserving, and protecting the Chartiers Creek Valley and Watershed area.

The Chartiers Creek Watershed is the fifth largest watershed in Allegheny County. Over the years, this watershed has been polluted by abandoned mine drainage, sewer overflows, and industrial pollutants.

Even though the CNC is an all-volunteer organization, it has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments that will benefit the environment, the community, and future generations. CNC relies upon individual donations to cover routine business expenses and grants from local foundations and area agencies to fund conservation projects.

For more information, visit the Chartiers Nature Conservancy webpage.

12/9/2005