The third annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration this week attracted over 600 people for a four hour boat tour of the Ohio River below the Point in Pittsburgh. (Our masthead photo this week is from the tour.)

The Celebration was co-sponsored by 60 organizations and included displays and presentations from dozens of groups, government agencies and organizations. The tour featured a two-hour narration of Ohio River history, landmarks and water quality information.

More than 175 school children, many home schoolers, who had a great field trip learning about water quality, watershed protection, and working rivers.

Pre-boarding speakers included West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Stephanie R. Timmermeyer, Pennsylvania DEP Deputy Secretaries Mike Sherman (Field Operations) and Scott Roberts (Mineral Resources), Eric Carlson from EPA Region III, Dennis Tubbs and Dr. Douglas Austen Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

Three individuals and groups were also recognized for the work to improve the Ohio River Watershed as part of the festivities.

Thurman Korns and Malcolm Crittender from the Wells Creek Watershed Association for the group’s work in forming the Association and starting several restoration projects; Quality Aggregates, represented by Brian Mathias, for their partnership in undertaking several mine acid treatment projects; and John Dawes and the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program for its financial and technical assistance efforts to promote watershed restoration.

Please find a photo scrapbook from the Celebrationattached to this story.

9/17/2004