Trout Unlimited has hired Rebecca Dunlap as Project Manager for the organization’s West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Initiative. For the last two years, Dunlap served as Aquatic Ecologist for the ClearWater Conservancy in State College.

“I couldn’t be happier that Becky has joined our team,” said Amy Wolfe, TU’s Director of Abandoned Mine Programs. “Over the past three years, we’ve been building the foundation for the large-scale restoration of the West Branch. Now that Becky is on board, we can begin the hard work of cleaning up priority sites.”

TU’s West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Initiative aims to clean up dozens of streams throughout the river basin contaminated by abandoned mine drainage. This drainage from former coal mine sites is the largest source of pollution in Pennsylvania’s waterways. Often acidic and laced with toxic metals, abandoned mine drainage degrades drinking water, diminishes aquatic habitat and threatens fish and wildlife. Over 1,100 stream miles are contaminated in the West Branch Susquehanna watershed.

Two upcoming events will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Initiative and become involved in this ambitious and exciting effort.

The West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition will meet on March 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Elks Club on East Main Street in downtown Lock Haven.

The third annual West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium will take place April 27-28 at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport. This event brings together policy makers, technical experts, volunteers and other interested parties to exchange ideas regarding abandoned mine drainage clean-up in the region. (Download the 2007 Symposium brochure)

“Living in the West Branch watershed, I’ve seen first-hand the impact of abandoned mine drainage,” said Dunlap. “I look forward to working with the strong coalition of organizations and individuals engaged in the restoration of this remarkable resource.”

For more information on the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Initiative or the Symposium, contact Amy Wolfe by sending email to: awolfe@tu.org or Rebecca Dunlap at rdunlap@tu.org at Trout Unlimited or call them at 570-726-3118.

2/23/2007