Ed Wytovich, a grassroots leader involved in the cleanup of many abandoned mine contaminated streams, will be the guest speaker at the Western Pocono Chapter of Trout Unlimited meeting February 25 at the White Haven Library in White Haven, Luzerne County starting at 7:00 p.m..

Ed Wytovich and the Catawissa Creek Restoration Association began addressing pollution that enters the creek as a result of coal mining in 1997. Now the group operates three treatment plants that remove toxic chemicals from mine drainage, allow the creek to purify itself and restore populations of macroinvertebrates and wild trout that feed on them.

Wytovich, a retired high school teacher who has been recognized internationally for his work, will describe the processes used in the plants and efforts to let the public fish in the creek.

In addition to the Catawissa Watershed group, Wytovich helped to found 9 other watershed associations dedicated to treating abandoned mine drainage and served as the volunteer president of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation.

In 1998, his 100 mile “Riverwalk” along the state’s Schuylkill River raised funds for the Schuylkill Headwaters Association and generated awareness of the need to cleanup the River. He also helped start the Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn, a one-week canoe trip down the Schuylkill, to draw attention to habitat preservation.

In 2001, he convinced state lawmakers to designate May as Statewide Watershed Awareness Month, which lead to annual cleanups at sites throughout Pennsylvania.

He has received the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Partnership Award, the 2017 Mayfly Award from the PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference, the 2001 Governor’s Watershed Stewardship Award, the Conservation Award from the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show and the international 2006 Ed Zern/Chevron Conservation Award.

Click Here to watch a video commenting on building watershed partnerships.

Click Here to watch another video on progress and changes in Catawissa Creek.

(Photo: Ed Wytovich at the construction site of the Audenreid Mine Drainage Treatment Project.)

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Op-Ed Taking The Next Step In Watershed Protection - Private Support For A Public Good

Feature- Audenreid Treatment Project Dedicated, Will Clean Up 34 Miles Of Catawissa Creek

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Op-Ed: The Future Is Now On Abandoned Mine Reclamation, By Ed Wytovich

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[Posted: February 13, 2020]

2/17/2020