The Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement Wednesday announced it has awarded approximately $1 million in cooperative agreements to nonprofit watershed restoration groups in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In Pennsylvania, these projects received $449,455 in funding--

-- $100,000 - Big Run Enhancement: This project, located in Pennsylvania’s Blackleggs Creek Watershed, will rehabilitate an existing AMD treatment system to assure its continuing efficient operation and improve water quality in support of a trout fishery.

-- $100,000 - Hayes Run: This project, located in Pennsylvania’s Little Toby Creek Watershed, will rehabilitate an existing AMD treatment system to assure its continuing efficient operation for years to come and support a trout fishery.

-- $23,500 - Howe Bridge Rehabilitation: This project, in Pennsylvania’s Mill Creek Watershed, will rehabilitate an existing AMD treatment system to assure its continuing efficient operation and maintaining improved water quality in Mill Creek to support a warm water fishery.

-- $54,755 - Filson 1 and 2 Rehabilitation: This project, also located in Pennsylvania’s Mill Creek Watershed, will rehabilitate an existing AMD treatment system to assure its continuing efficient operation and maintain improved water quality in support a warm water fishery.

-- $89,200 - Kyler Run Anoxic Limestone Drain #1 (ALD1) Rehabilitation: This project, located in Pennsylvania’s Little Toby Creek Watershed, will rehabilitate an existing AMD treatment system to assure its continuing efficient operation for years to come, thereby, maintaining improved water quality in Kyler Run and Little Toby Creek to support a trout fishery.

-- $82,000 - Kyler Run Anoxic Limestone Drain #2 (ALD2) Rehabilitation: Also located in Pennsylvania’s Little Toby Creek Watershed, this project will rehabilitate an existing AMD treatment system and assure continued efficient operation for years to come. The result will maintain improved water quality and support local trout.

The funds, part of OSMRE’s Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program, provide supplemental financial assistance to nonprofit watershed restoration groups and other non- profit organizations for the construction of acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment facilities that help restore the biological health of local streams.

“The vital work being done in conjunction with partners to restore the usability of abandoned mine lands is yet another example of Interior’s multiple-use mission of conservation in action,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke.

Click Here for the complete announcement

OSM AMD Watershed Grants

The Federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement is now accepting applications for Not-For-Profit Acid Mine Drainage Watershed Cooperative Agreement Grants.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through August 31.  Click Here for all the details.

Growing Greener Grants

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration Grants.  The deadline for applications is July 13.  Click Here for all the details.

NewsClips:

Federal Money Could Restart Cleanup Of Abandoned Rostraver Mine

Plans For Old Forge Borehole Mine Discharge Making Progress

Related Stories:

DCNR Multifunctional Riparian Forest Buffer Grants Webinar July 3, Grant Round Opens Aug. 1

PA Lake Management Society Offers Mini-Grants To Reduce Nutrient Loading, Address Invasive Species

Grants Available To Improve Sinnemahoning Watershed In Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter Counties

Reminder: DEP Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration Grant Applications Due July 13

(Courtesy of Joe Pizarchik, former OSM Director, former Director DEP Bureau of Mining and Reclamation on Twitter@JoePizarchik.)

[Posted: June 28, 2018]

7/2/2018