Representatives of more than 20 partners gathered to celebrate the start of a multi-purpose mine reclamation project in MaryD, Schuylkill County.

The partners include the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, Delaware River Basin Commission, Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission, Schuylkill County Commissioners, Schuylkill County Conservation District, Schuylkill Township, Rep. David Argall (R-Schuylkill), Mary D Fire Co., Mary D Baseball Association, Enterprising Environmental Solutions Inc., URS Corp., the Exelon Schuylkill River Restoration Fund, William Penn Foundation, DEP, DCNR and Stell Environmental Enterprises Inc.

Video Blog: Partnership Key to Mary D Reclamation Project

The $967,000 MaryD project will turn the old baseball field, currently owned by the Mary D Fire Co., into a passive mine drainage treatment system to treat up to 1,000 gallons per minute of acidic discharges from long-abandoned underground mines.

The Blaschak Coal Corp. of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, donated approximately 10 acres of abandoned mine land for the site of a year-round recreation facility that will new six-acre facility that will include a baseball field; a regulation soccer field; basketball courts; walking path; handicap accessible concession, pavilion and restroom facilities; parking; fencing and bleachers.

Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty attended the groundbreaking to mark the $200,000 contribution DEP was making toward the construction of the treatment facilities, as well as $47,000 in in-kind contributions for project design and technical assistance on the reclamation of the donated Blaschak land.

“Pennsylvania has the largest abandoned mine problem in the country,” Secretary McGinty said. “We make our greatest progress cleaning up these dangerous sites and restoring our waterways when we combine scarce state and federal funding with financial and in-kind contributions from local communities and private industry.”

In addition to DEP’s funding, the project will be financed by $100,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for construction of recreation facilities and easement costs; $110,000 from Exelon Corp. to build a wetland to treat acid mine discharge; and $510,000 from the William Penn Foundation for treatment and recreation facilities construction.

“This project demonstrates the commitment and initiative of all partners to reduce the amount of pollutants acid mine drainage contributes to the Schuylkill’s headwaters, reclaim abandoned mine lands and enhance the quality of life for area residents,” said Carol R. Collier, Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission. “The Schuylkill River and its tributaries provide drinking water to over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians.”

NewsClips: Groups Team Up to Clean Mine Sites

MaryD’s Next Phase Will Reduce Acidic Mine Drainage

MaryD Field of Dreams is Born From Acid Rain Drainage

Link: MaryD Project Diagram

PA Land Trust Association Model Water Quality Easement

Video Blog: Partnership Key to Mary D Reclamation Project

12/1/2006