On March 1, the Allegheny County Conservation District announced the release of the Montour Run Watershed Assessment and Restoration Implementation Plan. The plan serves as a guide for the protection, enhancement and restoration of the area's valuable water resources for generations to come.

The report is the culmination of a four-year collaborative process and gives a comprehensive look at the water resources within the Montour Run Watershed. This watershed includes the municipalities of Moon, North Fayette, Findley, Robinson, Coraopolis and the Pittsburgh International Airport. 

Pollution threats in the Montour Run Watershed include abandoned mine drainage, contaminated stormwater runoff, sediment eroded from stream banks and other sources. 

By identifying healthy and impaired streams and mapping where pollutants enter waterways, the report will help direct targeted conservation efforts.

This plan builds on previous ACCD projects in the watershed including the Milk Run AMD treatment system, stream buffer plantings in North Fayette and restoration efforts at the Montour Woods Conservation Area.

“This plan is the roadmap to improve ecosystem health and water quality in this large watershed,” ACCD Executive Director Heather Manzo said. “ACCD looks forward to working with local partners to secure funding and develop improvement projects. Our quality of life is connected to the quality of our water. Improving and protecting valuable water resources is essential to sustaining healthy, vibrant, economically-viable and environmentally-responsible communities for our children.” 

Key partners and supporters in the development of the plan include: the Montour Run Watershed Association, Ethos Collaborative, Western Allegheny Stormwater Group, Duquesne University and the Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Program.

Click Here for a copy of the Plan.

Visit the Allegheny County Conservation District to learn more about programs, upcoming events and assistance for landowners.

To find out more about your county conservation district, visit the PA Association of Conservation Districts website.

[How Clean Is Your Stream?

[DEP’s Interactive Report Viewer allows you to zoom in on your own stream or watershed to find out how clean your stream is or if it has impaired water quality using the latest information in the draft 2020 Water Quality Report.]

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[Posted: March 1, 2021]

3/8/2021