The Bennett Branch Watershed Association is sponsoring a “Dents Run Renewal Celebration” on August 9 to recognize the progress that has been made in restoring the Dents Run and Bennett Branch watersheds in Elk County.

The celebration will be held on the Gilbert Farm on Winslow Hill Road near the Elk Viewing Area outside of Benezette starting at 11:00 a.m. Signs will point the way to the event from Route 555 in Benezette.

A total watershed restoration project is underway in this tributary of Bennett Branch. The effort is the result of a partnership between the Bennett Branch Watershed Association, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources and the Game Commission.

About 34 percent of the acid mine drainage affecting the main stem of the Bennett Branch creek comes from the lower part of its Dents Run tributary. Currently the Association, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DEP and other partners have projects underway to reclaim 160 acres of abandoned mine lands and treat discharges into the Creek using 12 passive treatment facilities costing about $12 million.

DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation is completing two surface mine reclamation projects with alkaline addition and an alkaline acid mine drainage treatment trench. DEP funds are also providing local match for Corps of Engineers projects.

For more information contact Kim Lanich, Watershed Specialist, Elk County Conservation District at 814-776-5373 or send email to: klanich@elkoes.ncentral.com .

Link: Dents Run Receives $1,300,000 Growing Greener Grant

Game Commission Approves Lease to Improve Water Quality in Dents Run

Dents Run TMDL Report

8/4/2006