The Bakerton Rod and Gun Club this week dedicated an acid mine drainage treatment system along Chest Creek that feeds a fishing pond for youth members.

The site is in Cambria County and the headwaters of the West Branch of the Susquehanna.

“This project demonstrates well what citizen action can accomplish,” according to John Dawes of the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program.

Working with many agencies starting with the Cambrian County Conservation District staff---Mark Stockley and Rob Piper, the group secured funding from the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program as well as from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and in-kind support from the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service and the federal Office of Surface Mining.

Dave Contorchick, of the construction committee and Dan Kinney, Club president, provided leadership for the project from the Club. Representing the Department of Environmental Protection at the event were Scott Horrel, DEP District Mining Office, and Paul Zeph. Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria) also attended along with John Dawes from the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program.

Brian Auman from the Susquehanna Greenway Project who taught the group about the watershed concept, despite the distant location of this site from the Susquehanna also took part.

The limestone drain treats the up to 50 gallon per minute mine discharge that is highly acid and contains significant amounts of aluminum at a total cost of about $22,230. The project is expected to last 10 years with minimal maintenance.

For more information, visit the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program website.

8/11/2006