As those of us doing the work of mine drainage remediation know, our projects need a whole lot of oversight and maintenance, repair and refurbishment. We do not necessarily expect them to fail. The Kalp Project (Anna and Steve Gdosky …
Why is Indian Creek Flowing Red?
Photo shows the path of the rogue discharge immediately after it enters a clean Indian Creek. In June, MWA received several complaints of visibly polluted water in Indian Creek, seen approximately from our Sagamore AMD treatment system downstream all the …
What’s Happening with Hellbenders?
The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) The Eastern Hellbender is the largest North American salamander and happens to be the Pennsylvania State Amphibian. The Hellbender is directly related to species that lived 65 million years ago. Although denied protections under the …
Adding the Steyer Bridge to the Indian Creek Valley Trail
There are still sections that need completed to finish the Indian Creek Valley Trail from Route 31 to the Youghiogheny River—a full 19 miles of what remains of the abandoned Indian Creek Valley Railroad. Last summer MWA completed the ICV …
Demand Public Hearing On Permit To Evaporate Toxic Leachate
The Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill, located in Belle Vernon, has applied for a state permit to evaporate leachate (liquid runoff) from the site, putting nearby residents and sanitary workers at risk. If the leachate is evaporated, the air would be contaminated …
Walk with Rachel in the Indian Creek Gorge
The Indian Creek Valley Gorge is somewhat of a hidden gem in the Laurel Highlands. The 4.5 mile gorge section of the ICV Trail was completed in August of 2019 and is excellent for bike riding, taking a stroll, or …
DEP Sides with MWA to Protect Coalfield Residents
Last week, in response to our advocacy efforts alongside the Center for Coalfield Justice, the Department of Environmental Protection issued guidance that called on coal operators to protect residents during pre and post-mining surveys in light of the current COVID-19 epidemic. …
Passive Treatment—Active Maintenance: When Mine Drainage Treatment Systems Need Fixed
If you saw this along the Indian Creek Valley Trail during the first couple months of 2020, you may have thought something was awry. You would have been correct. That discharge depositing orange sludge on everything it touches and flowing …
Unrestricted Mining Activities Putting Residents’ Rights and Health at Risk
While COVID-19 grips public health and the economy, coal mining operations in Pennsylvania are proceeding at full speed. On the eve of Governor Wolf’s address closing “non-essential” business, coal mining and associated activities were granted essential business status. This puts …