More than 140 people participated in the two-day West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium III, including federal, state, and local government agencies, watershed groups and Trout Unlimited chapters, policy-makers, students, and technical experts.

The focus of the event, held at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, was the cleanup of abandoned mine drainage in the West Branch Susquehanna River Basin.

“Just take a look at these beautiful forests and mountains the streams flow through and imagine what we could have in this region if only the streams were cleaned up,” described Michael Smith from the Department of Environmental Protection, as he showed a series of slides depicting red discoloration from iron staining in what appears to be pristine wilderness otherwise.

Smith pointed out that the West Branch Susquehanna River upstream of Lock Haven is not dead, but it is not exactly thriving either. Many sections of the West Branch Susquehanna and its tributaries do have clean water and support healthy fish communities, but other sections contain some of the worst acid, iron, and aluminum pollution in the Commonwealth.

Over 1,100 miles of streams are degraded by AMD in the West Branch watershed.

“A tale of two sides” was a common theme brought out again and again by representatives from a dozen volunteer watershed groups as they detailed efforts to restore their local waters polluted by AMD.

Water quality is usually outstanding and many streams support Class A populations of native brook trout above the AMD impacts. Since fish habitat is already in excellent condition throughout most areas of the West Branch that are impacted by AMD, improving water quality on these streams is top priority for these groups.

“Clearfield Creek is the left jab and Moshannon Creek is the right hook that knocks it out,” said Thomas Clark of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, trying to conjure up some laughs on a not-so laughable matter.

Clark described that the West Branch Susquehanna River appears to be recovering until AMD from Clearfield Creek enters, and then severe AMD from Moshannon Creek adds enough pollution that the river doesn’t begin to improve for at least another 50 miles until it reaches Lock Haven.

Fortunately, valiant cleanup efforts are underway like the one led by the Clearfield Creek Watershed Association. Dr. Art Rose, chairman of the association’s technical committee, announced that construction of the Klondike 1 and 2 passive treatment system will begin this summer.

This project, funded by grants from the Growing Greener Grant Program and EPA 319 Program, is the first step to improving Little Laurel Run, a tributary to Clearfield Creek in Cambria County. The group is also planning reclamation of an abandoned surface mine as part of the strategy to restore Little Laurel Run and ultimately benefit Clearfield Creek and the West Branch.

Additional speakers representing Anderson Creek, Babb Creek, Beech Creek, Bennett Branch, Kettle Creek, and other watersheds described AMD abatement projects that are in the planning, design or construction phases, and numerous other projects that have yet to be funded.

These projects, as well as assessment surveys to locate and measure acid discharges, are funded by grants from state and federal government and private foundations.

“While this event highlighted the restoration successes of volunteer groups that commit countless hours to AMD remediation throughout the West Branch, it also demonstrated that there is much, much more work to be done,” commented Amy Wolfe, Director of Abandoned Mine Programs for Trout Unlimited.

“Ten years ago an event such as this wouldn’t be possible because the technological solutions for cleaning up AMD just didn’t exist like they do today,” continued Wolfe, “and now the challenge is finding the money to implement these projects.”

Other topics presented at the Symposium indicated that restoration of the West Branch Susquehanna River basin might have far-reaching impacts beyond our local streams.

For instance, an overview was given on research underway to study the impacts AMD may have on nutrient retention and how that might affect the health of the Chesapeake Bay. This study is being conducted Dr. Steve Rier of Bloomsburg University and Dr. Matthew McTammany of Bucknell University, in conjunction with the Stroud Water Research Institute.

The two-day event was co-hosted by Trout Unlimited and the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition. With guidance provided by Trout Unlimited, this Coalition represents many of the volunteer watershed groups, Trout Unlimited chapters, and County Conservation Districts that work to address AMD pollution in widely distributed parts of the West Branch from near Barnesboro and Cresson through Philipsburg and Clearfield, to Renovo, Benezette, and Wellsboro.

The vision of this coalition is to see water quality restored to pre-mining conditions throughout the West Branch Susquehanna and to encourage its protection and preservation. The volunteer effort of the Coalition is part of a long-term effort to enhance the natural potential of the forests, waters, and wildlife of the region.

Stay tuned for the release of a strategic West Branch Susquehanna AMD Remediation Plan later this summer by Trout Unlimited, which is currently being developed by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission with funds provided in part by the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. An economic benefits analysis is also underway by Trout Unlimited to document the financial benefits that will result from improved water quality in the region.

For more information contact Amy Wolfe, Trout Unlimited, 570-726-3118 or send email to: AWolfe@tu.org .

5/4/2007