The Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation recently awarded 4 mine reclamation-related grants totaling $5,000 sponsored by the Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers Association.

EPCAMR awarded $2,500 in grants to--

-- Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association, Wyoming County, $800: To provide limestone sand to dose and lime the South Branch of Mehoopany Creek’s Red Brook Run, located on State Game Lands (SGL) 57, Forkston Township, Wyoming County in partnership with Whitetails Unlimited, the PA Game Commission and EPCAMR.

The target area this year is along the newly improved Coal Mine Road in SGL 57.  Applying the lime here along the food plots to serve as habitat improvement additive for wildlife and near the streambank will allow for the material to be slowly released into Red Brook Run and Stony Brook Run, and then finally making its way into Mehoopany Creek to increase the pH, alkalinity, and decrease the acidity levels.

-- Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance, Northumberland County, $1,193: To support the purchase and construction of a 100 percent recycled product enclosure kiosk for interpretation and explanation of the Site 15 AMD Treatment System (photo), along State Route 901, in Coal Township, Northumberland County.

The earlier wooden sign that was initially constructed had fallen into disrepair and became dry-rotted. There was no protection for the papers that were stapled to the billboard previously and now with the addition and construction of the new signage at the site those issues will be eliminated.

-- Lackawanna River Conservation Association, Lackawanna County, $507: To be used towards the purchase and construction of a set of pre-cast concrete steps to be placed along the streambank of the Lackawanna River in Old Forge, Lackawanna County  to safely be able to access the Old Forge Borehole AMD discharge for monitoring and conducting watershed tours to the site.

WPCAMR awarded a $2,500 grant to--

-- Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, Westmoreland County to provide $2,500.00 of the $13,400 needed to construct an educational pavilion at the the Lowber (Marchand) Passive Treatment System in the summer of 2018. The pavilion will help SCWA facilitate learning events for the community and foster SCWA's mission to promote the conservation of natural resources, monitor and improve water quality, and advocate wise land use practices in the Sewickley Creek Watershed. 

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Eastern PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation websites.

More information on coal refuse cleanup, visit the Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers Association website.

(Photo: Site 15 AMD Treatment System in the Shamokin Creek Watershed, Northumberland County.)

[Posted: Sept. 6, 2017]

9/11/2017