Mahanoy Creek Volunteers Planting

This year's Pennsylvania Conference on Abandoned Mine Reclamation in State College attracted 200 people interested in sharing expertise and experiences that will help them better protect and restore their watersheds.

This is the 8th year for Pennsylvania's Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference, which had a “Back to Basics” theme.

Volunteers from around the state and from many organizations work hard to organize a conference providing relevant, useful information to those working to reclaim abandoned mine land and waters.

Bruce Golden, Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, said, “Attendance exceeded our expectations. We have people from as far away as Alabama to learn what we do here in Pennsylvania.”

“It’s great to be able to get together people concerned about water quality in their watersheds and share ideas,” said Robert Hughes, Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. “That’s what this conference is all about.

“There is an excitement and energy here that I haven’t seen for several years,” said Tom Grote of Stream Restoration, Inc.

Scott Roberts, DEP Deputy for Mineral Resources, opened the Conference talking about innovative mining methods that help prevent discharges and improve reclamation after mining.

Workshops on brownfield redevelopment potential, innovative treatment techniques, operation and maintenance funding and issues, floodplain restoration techniques, hydrogeology 101 and the role of watershed groups in today’s environmental movement.

More on the Conference next week.

Session Schedule

The Senate returns to session September 19 and the House on September 25.

On the Hill

· Senate Agriculture Committee Sets Meeting on Conservation Tax Credit Bill

· Environmental Synopsis Features Conservation Districts, Climate Change

Other News

· Small Watershed Grants Program Awards $748,100 to 17 Groups in PA

· DEP Seeking Project Proposals for EPA Targeted Watershed, Capacity Grants

· Lower West Branch Supports Record Number of Smallmouth Bass

· Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference Set for October 6

· Rural Water Association Announces Professional Office Conference

· Rain Barrel/Watershed Workshops Set in Pittsburgh Area

· Water Reuse Workshop to be Held November 2 in Exton

· DEP Asks for Comments on Changes to Neshaminy Creek TMDL

· POWR Offers Brochure Production to Members

· McClellan Fills Statewide No-Till Coordinator Position

· Visit the Clean Water Festival at the Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo

· Scenes of the Schuylkill Art Show Celebrates the River, Region

· Spring Creek Day Family Festival September 17

· One Crescent Drive Given Platinum LEED Rating

· Recycled Glass Economic Development Forum to be Held Next Month

· DCED Offers Community Revitalization Grants

· Nearly 4,000 More Acres of Farmland Preserved in PA

· 2007 Governor’s Outdoor Conference to Connect People With Nature

· Sixth Annual Great Outdoors Elk Expo Scheduled for September 22-23

· Game Commission Drafts Rules to Control Nuisance Canada Geese

· Game Commission Offers Special Patch to Commemorate 100 Bald Eagle Nests

· Help Wanted: Watershed Manager, SBDC Environmental Consultant

Opinion

· Proposed Conservation Tax Credit Program Will Help Farmers, By Senator Noah W. Wenger, 30th Senatorial District

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

8/25/2006