Cleaning Up Appalachia's Polluted Streams
1996 Progress Report
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pro^
Regional Center for Environmental Information
US EPA Region III
1650 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
"nis 1996 Progress Report was compiled by the OSM Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center's Program
support Division. It was reviewed in EPA'sRegion HI, Mine Drainage Initiative, Office of Watersheds, Water
Protection Division.
We acknowledge and appreciate the information and photographs provided by other Federal, state and local
agencies, groups and individuals.
Cover photo:
Determining the chemical, physical and biological properties is the first step in reclaiming
streams polluted with acid mine drainage. Here, USDI Deputy Secretary John Garamendi and
OSM Acting Director Kay Henry watch as educator Jacob Foster and his students Tabitha Burns
and Dale Taylor of Hixon High School measure water quality of the Little Chickamauga Creek,
near Chattanooga, Tennessee
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Cleaning Up Appalachia's Polluted Streams
1996 Progress Report
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A reinventing government program to facilitate and coordinate
clean up of Appalachia streams polluted with acid mine drainage.
Prepared by
Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
841 Chestnut Building
Philadelphia, PA 19107-4431
and
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Surface Mining
Appalachian Regional Coordinating Centerr -,-,pA
Three Parkway Center ^„
Pittsburgh, PA 15220 TSwgJ* **
1650 Arch Street (3PM52)
September 1997 Philadelphia, PA 1910-"^
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Report Contents
Introduction 1
Coal Mine Drainage Problems 3
Acid/Toxic Mine Drainage 3
Extent of the Mine Drainage Problems 4
Addressing the Mine Drainage Problems 5
Federal Agencies 5
State Governments 6
Coalition Groups and Individuals 6
Partnerships - A Cooperative Program 6
The Statement of Mutual Intent 6
The Statement of Mutual Intent Strategic Plan 7
The Mine Drainage Workshop 7
The Tennessee Ceremony 8
Resource Recovery Program 9
Second Year Progress towards Goals and Activities of the Strategic Plan 11
Success Stories, State by State 17
Vision of the Future 41
Appendix 43
THE STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT 44
ADDENDUM TO STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT 47
A COOPERATIVE STRATEGIC PLAN 48
LIST OF ACSI - SOMI SIGNATORIES/SUPPORTERS 53
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Introduction
Appalachian watersheds which were mined for coal to fuel the nation's industrial growth and the
military have paid an environmental price. Acid mine drainage which exits from these sites has
had a regional impact on the ecosystem and our continued use of it. Polluted water supplies,
streams with little or no aquatic life, and the loss of recreational and other beneficial uses are just
a few of these impacts. Acid mine drainage is the most pervasive water pollution problem in
Appalachia to date. Despite extensive studies and the millions of dollars spent on mine drainage
control activities, the problem has not been eliminated.
Citizens of these watersheds have grown tired of living with these negative impacts of mining.
Appalachian residents know that together they can make a difference in the water quality in their
streams. They banded together in increasing numbers of partnerships to share a common vision
to restore creeks, streams, and rivers to their former capabilities throughout Appalachia.
State and Federal agencies noted these local initiatives, and responded with guidance, funding
sources and coordination to form partnerships to restore the affected streams. The Statement of
Mutual Intent (SMI) and Strategic Plan were developed as a concept for partnerships and
progress in restoring streams. Both the Statement of Mutual Intent and its Strategic Plan are
included in the Appendix.
The first progress report, the Progress Report of the Statement of Mutual Intent Strategic Plan
(SM1SP), describes the objectives of the agreement, the first year's accomplishments, the initial
benchmarks established for measuring progress in future years, and plans for the future. The
report describes the growth of the initiative, new partnerships formed during the first year and
progress in abating AMD at numerous sites by federal, state and local governments, industry,
and, most importantly, at the grassroots level by citizens and watershed associations.
This 1996 Progress Report describes the progress achieved during the second year since this
cooperative program was initiated. The number of partnership agencies, states watershed
associations and citizens has increased. The regional program now includes the Commonwealths
of Virginia and Pennsylvania and the states of Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio,
Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The number of projects has also increased. A variety of
technologies is being used to correct this environmental problem. Partnership programs are
working successfully to address this regional AMD problem.
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Coal Mine Drainage Problems
Acid/Toxic Mine Drainage
Problematic mine drainage forms when water and air contact certain minerals in rocks associated
with mining. Pyrite and other iron-sulfide minerals react with water and oxygen, in the presence
of certain bacteria, to form acid, which then dissolves other minerals in the rocks associated with
coal. These dissolved minerals then contaminate surface and groundwater sources.
Acid mine drainage is typically characterized by low pH (less than 6.0) and elevated levels of
sulfates, acidity, and other metals-such as iron, manganese, and aluminum. These constituents
often cause stream bottoms to become coated, most noticeably by iron, which results in the
reddish-orange, so-called "yellow boy" stains familiar to the residents of mining areas
throughout Appalachia.
Alkaline mine drainage (pH above 6.0) may also be a serious problem following mining where
discharges are alkaline but may contain high levels of iron, manganese, and sulfates.
The geology of coalfield areas can significantly impact the AMD production and discharge for
all types of mining. Coal deposits formed as decaying plant matter accumulated in ancient
swamps and were subsequently buried under layers of sediments. This depositional environment
and other post-depositional factors cause the differences between coal ranks (anthracite,
bituminous, and lignite) and the tendency for some rocks to produce AMD when mined.
Acid mine drainage results from both surface and underground coal mining operations, and of
coal cleaning plants' waste piles. In surface mining, the solid rocks overlying the coal, or
overburden, are removed, and in the process, broken into large and small rock fragments which
are replaced in the mining pit after coal removal. This exposes the acid forming minerals in
some rocks to water and air, resulting in a high probability of AMD formation if such minerals
are present in sufficient quantity. In underground mining, large reservoirs of AMD may form in
the cavern-like passageways below the earth's surface. These reservoirs are constantly
replenished by ground-water movement through the mineral-bearing rocks, creating more AMD.
The water from these "mine pools" seeps through the hillsides or gushes from abandoned mine
entries, entering the streams, and depositing the metal-rich precipitates on everything in the
downstream path. Coal cleaning refuse piles often contain excessive amounts of pyritic
materials and water flowing through the piles will become acidic.
Mine drainage discharges can be as small as a tiny trickle, or they may be huge torrents of
thousands of gallons per minute. If the receiving stream does not contain sufficient alkalinity to
neutralize any added acid, its water quality may be adversely impacted and the stream's uses will
be limited. Even if the stream has sufficient alkalinity to improve the pH, iron and/or aluminum
precipitation may occur.
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Extent of the Mine Drainage Problems
Streams that are impacted by acid mine drainage characteristically have low pH levels and
contain high concentrations of soluble iron and other metals. These conditions will not support
fish or other aquatic life. Even if the pH was moderated, the soluble metals would precipitate,
covering the stream bed, again making it unsuitable for supporting aquatic life. Additionally, the
impact of mine drainage on the aesthetics and tourism results in undesirable sites for visitors and
recreational users. This results in lost business opportunities.
Previous studies focused on defining mine drainage impacts on states in the eastern coal fields.
In 1969 the Appalachian Regional Commission defined the scope of the AMD problem in its
study of eight states in the Appalachian Region. In 1980, the OSM commissioned an inventory
by the US Geological Survey (USGS) of the water quality and quantity in the Appalachian
region. These USGS Eastern Coal Province Hydrology Area Reports characterized the
widespread impacts of mine drainage through water quality and benthic indicators.
In 1995, EPA Region ID conducted a survey of State's fishery biologists to identify streams
having acid mine drainage impacts. More than 5,100 miles of streams were impacted in West
Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio. Subsequent studies in Tennessee,
Kentucky, and Alabama increased the number of miles impacted to more than seven thousand
five hundred (7,500). The 1995 Progress Report contains maps and survey data that show the
extent of the impacted steams.
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Addressing the Mine Drainage Problems
The number one water quality problem in Appalachia is drainage from abandoned coal mines.
The Federal government, states and citizens have spend millions of dollars to study and attempt
to correct the problem. Some of the larger sponsors include:
Federal Agencies:
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining (OSM).
OSM now gives States more avenues to address the problem of mine
drainage. OSM gives states greater flexibility in their use of the AML Fund
by defining the "general welfare" provision of the AML Program to include
the economic impacts of AMD polluted streams on an area. AMD can now
be classified as Priority II under the prioritization system set forth in
SMCRA, Title IV. This interpretation of the statutory language makes steam
clean up much more viable than at ant any time in the history of the AML Program.
A second OSM initiative was its Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative (ACSI), established in
1994. The purpose of ACSI is to facilitate and coordinate citizen groups, university researchers,
the coal industry, corporations, the environmental community, and local, state, and federal
government agencies that are involved in cleaning up streams polluted by acid drainage. A
major goal of the clean up plan is to increase the exchange of information and eliminate
duplicative efforts among all parties involved.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA Mine Drainage
Initiative and its extensive work in conducting the impacted fisheries survey
and development of mine drainage GIS have been mentioned earlier. EPA is a
funding source through the states and its §319 and §104b3 programs. Through
these funding sources, several clean up projects have been supported in
addition to financial aid to watershed groups.
The Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The
NRCS has a multifunction role. Through its Conservation Technical Assistance and PL-566
Programs, the NRCS works with watershed stakeholders and others to
assess, plan and implement water quality watershed projects. Through its
Resource Conservation and Development Program, the NRCS assists
watershed groups with preparation of requests for funding from private and
government sources. NRCS staff also provide technical assistance, such as
site design, and contract monitoring in local sites.
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The US Army Corps of Engineers (COE). The COE is expanding its
environmental restoration role in acid contaminated streams. Currently,
there are two programs under which aquatic ecosystems can be restored.
Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 authorizes
the COE to modify structures and operations at COE projects to improve
the quality of the environment. Also, the COE is responsive to direct
authorization and appropriation by the US Congress to improve specific aquatic ecosystems. In
each program, the COE takes the lead in planning, design, and construction in partnership with a
non-Federal cost sharing sponsor. In the last three years, the COE has begun working in seven
watersheds in the region and it is anticipated that the programs will continue to grow.
State Governments:
State governments have taken the lead in identifying, planning, and completing many projects to
eliminate acid mine drainage discharges and to restore streams. Projects include reclaiming
abandoned surface mines, sealing underground mines, excavating underground mines
(daylighting), construction and operation of AMD treatment plants, design and construction of
passive treatment sites, removing or reclaiming coal cleaning refuse piles and providing
technical assistance and resources to local watershed groups.
Coalition Groups and Individuals:
Watershed associations, community groups, and recreation associations are working together,
with funding from government and private sources. Combining citizen and corporate resources
into this group creates a host of individuals united to work together directly on the sites. A
listing of many of the groups is included in the Success Stories, State by State Section of this
report.
Partnerships - A Cooperative Program:
Many of the previously mentioned groups recognized that they were addressing the same
problem; but from differing perspectives. The ACSI and local alliances grew out of the need to
focus scattered efforts. The agencies, groups and individuals have endorsed a series of
documents that define their mutual objective.
The Statement of Mutual Intent. Responding to the concerns of the many groups, government
agencies, and the citizens met in a ceremony on February 9, 1995 to sign a Statement of Mutual
Intent (SMI). The SMI is a concept for partnerships and progress in restoring streams. The SMI
is also a pledge by agencies and citizens to focus on a shared concern about mine drainage
problems and to initiate on-the-ground improvement efforts. Another goal is to invite more
agencies, groups and individuals to join in this united effort. A copy of the SMI is included in
the Appendix.
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The Statement of Mutual Intent Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan (SMISP) was developed
to identify benchmarks for measuring progress, and to plan future activities.
The objectives of the SMI and the SMISP are to:
1. Build a clearing house to share and exchange data and information- identifying mine
drainage sites and cataloguing abatement techniques to restore water quality adversely
affected by mine drainage.
2. Raise the awareness about the serious environmental problems associated with abandoned
coal mine drainage.
3. Focus efforts to target streams degraded by mine drainage for clean up.
4. Work to develop and apply the best technology available for remediating and preventing
mine drainage.
5. Support an effective remining program to eliminate mine drainage problems.
6. Provide forums to transfer technologies and other information about improving, restoring
watersheds degraded by mine drainage.
7. Develop shared information management systems to minimize overlap in data collection and
development.
8. Prepare periodic reports describing the extent and severity of the mine drainage problem and
the current status of ongoing efforts to improve and restore degraded watersheds.
The Mine Drainage Workshop. In December 1995, the EPA, OSM and the NRCS sponsored a
3-day workshop in Cincinnati, Ohio. The purpose of the workshop was to build on the success
of a 1994 Acid Mine Drainage Workshop, and to explore projects related to the SMI.
Congressional representatives, local, state and federal agencies and watershed and environmental
and citizen organizations attended.
Nine activities were proposed and discussed. Participants were asked to rank the activities in
terms of importance. The ranking, (from highest to lowest) is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Ranking of Activities (highest to lowest)
1. Develop incentives to encourage more remining, and encourage remining in selected
watersheds as one component of comprehensive restoration efforts.
2. Streamline and integrate Federal and State processes for obtaining funding for restoration
activities.
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3. Establish a process to select and prioritized watersheds for restoration activities: establishing
a listing of those watersheds for acid mine drainage restoration activities for 1-3 years and
increase AMD restoration activities in selected watersheds by targeting Federal, State and
other potential programs and resources on watershed quality improvement projects in these
watersheds.
4. Support research efforts and demonstration projects that promote the science of AMD
reclamation.
5. Encourage voluntary restoration activities by industry and private organizations.
6. Develop an AMD Citizens guide and other outreach materials to support citizens and
watershed organizations interested in restoration activities.
7. Coordinate development and distribution of educational curriculum and other materials for
K-12th grade school teachers.
8. Establish agreed-upon environmental and program indicators for measuring success.
9. Continue to develop the AMD National Clearinghouse and Library through expanded
holdings and other information.
The nine activities were analyzed for similarities to develop team identities. Five teams were
organized. They are:
Team Identification
Activities
1. Remining
1
2. Project Funding
2,3
3. Research and Technology
4,8,9
4. Outreach and Education
5,6,7
5. Watershed Characterization
3,8
The Tennessee Ceremony. Other groups and individuals, seeing the success of these early
efforts expressed their interest in joining this regional effort. On October 1,1996, another
ceremony was held, enabling representatives from agencies and groups in Tennessee, Alabama,
Kentucky, and additional representation from EPA, OSM and the COE to sign the SMI.
The SMI is the catalyst which channels energies and forges new partnerships among the many
federal, state, and local agencies, the grassroots watershed groups and the coal Industry. All have
a common interest in restoring coal lands, and impacted streams to their natural state.
Although clean up, reclamation and prevention of AMD can not be totally accomplished in a
single day, the importance of these ceremonies and cooperative workshops is that collectively
each group has the opportunity to contribute its own effort into a larger effort.. And, accordingly,
the larger effort can have a more effective impact on the individual problem.
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Resource Recovery Program. Is there an economic market for metals found in AMD? This
question has been addressed in a cooperative effort between Southern Alleghenies Conservancy
and Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) of Johnstown, PA. With financial support from
the Vira Heinz Endowment, CTC completed a two-prong initiative to address this question.
First, CTC completed a market assessment of curent prices for the metals present in mine
drainage. Second, CTC examined 40 methods of metal extraction. The methods were grouped
in five categories: physical, chemical, biological, electrochemical and miscellaneous.
Americorps participants collected AMD samples from two watersheds in Pennsylvania. Metals
found in large quantities included: aluminim, iron, chromium, cobalt, manganese and
magnesium. Minor amounts of other metals were also present. A Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) has been formed of representatives of federal and state agencies, partnerships
and industry. The TAC will provide guidance to further work in this intriguing area.
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Second Year Progress towards Goals and
Activities of the Strategic Plan
During this second full year of the ACSI program, participating agencies were involved in many
activities that focused on meeting the goals of the SMISP. The goals and activities included:
a. Goal: Establish a national clearing house and library for all data and information
relating to AMD.
Activity:
OSM established a national clearing house and library for data and information at the
Appalachian Regional Coordinating Center in Pittsburgh, PA. People who are working on ACSI
projects can contact the clearing house at (412) 937-2863. The clearing house activities include:
The OSM Mine Drainage Library -This library contains the single largest number of articles
on mine drainage information in one location. The definitive collection of literature on mine
drainage technology published up to 1980 was previously developed by the Bituminous Coal
Research, Inc. It serves as the foundation for the library collection. The library continues to
acquire major works published from 1980 to the present. People interested in these mine
drainage resources can review these sources through standard inter-library loan procedures.
AMD Electronic Bibliography - A description of the holdings of The Mine Drainage Library
will ultimately be available in digital format. The plan is to have annotated abstracts of each
article or publication on disk and also accessible through the Internet. Currently, the abstracts of
several thousand document titles through 1980 are available. Updates to the present are being
pursued for inclusion. OSM's WWW site will ultimately have hypertext links to the Electronic
Bibliography at an FTP server. In addition, the former US Bureau of Mines bibliography will
provide abstracts of post-1977 technical papers related to mine drainage treatment technologies.
B. Goal: Establish an Internet address for the clearinghouse.
Activity:
The OSM World Wide Web (WWW) Site - OSM's WWW Home Page is accessible to any
computer user through the Internet at http:/www.osmre.gov. The OSM Homepage provides a
range of menu services, ACSI information and links to other appropriate Web-sites. The Web
address is publicly accessible. Contact the OSM Support Center at (202) 208-2929 if access
problems occur.
c. Goal: Develop a Joint EPA/OSM GIS that identifies AMD sites, sources and affected
watersheds.
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Activity:
The AMD Geographic Information System (AMDGIS) - The AMDGIS is a computer-based
data repository that can be evaluated graphically with a series of maps. The GIS technology has
spread rapidly throughout government as an exciting and versatile planning and analysis tool.
Any data that has a component of latitude and longitude coordinates can be located and
illustrated as information on a computer-generated map. For instance, if a stream has been
sampled for water quality and measurements have been made of flows, this information can be
displayed on a map of the watershed. The water quality data can be "filtered" in any number of
ways to show data of particular interest. By adding data to the GIS on active and abandoned
mine locations, AMD discharges, geology, land use, roads, topography, property ownership,
etc., groups trying to clean streams have an extremely powerful tool to analyze the scope of
AMD problems and prioritize cleanup efforts.
EPA Region 3 has enlarged its GIS data base beyond the fisheries impacted stream data
described earlier in this report. The remediation projects and watershed association locations
listed in the earlier tables have also been created as a GIS layer by EPA. West Virginia and
Pennsylvania have also been very active in enhancing their GIS capabilities and increasing their
data layers, such as mine sources. EPA has fostered a cooperative effort among the states and
OSM to add their GIS data layers into EPA's GIS repository.
OSM, in cooperation with the Stoneycreek Conemaugh Rivers Improvement Project (SCRIP), is
developing a pilot GIS for two watersheds of the Conemaugh River in western Pennsylvania
(Shade Creek and South Fork) that will demonstrate the potential for the use of GIS in planning
stream cleanup. If successfully demonstrated as a planning tool, this GIS will be the prototype
for other groups beginning to scope out their watershed mine drainage problems.
d. Goal: Develop an AMD newsletter
Activity:
The National Mine Land Reclamation Center publishes a newsletter about efforts to control
mine drainage problems. The newsletter contains profiles of clean-up efforts, technological
news, and other articles of general interest. For more information, contact the National Mine
Land Reclamation Center, National Research Center for Coal & Energy, West Virginia
University, P.O.Box 6064, Morgantown, WV 26506-6064
e. Goal: Sponsor conferences and workshops.
Activity:
Meetings and conferences remain one of the most productive ways to transfer technology, share
experiences, and to foster the SMISP precepts. Since December 1995, conferences have been
held with a variety of federal, state, and local governmental agencies and public and private
organizations. Here are two examples:
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The Interactive Forum on Coal Combustion By-Products Associated with Coal Mining was
convened at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale in September 1996. Attendees learned
how these products impact water quality.
The impact of mine drainage on water quality and remediation measures warranted the
attendance of many of the participants at the 13th annual National Meeting of the American
Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation (ASSMR) in Knoxville, Tennessee in May 1996.
The ASSMR and the American Society of Agronomy co-sponsored a special symposium
"Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands" at this meeting.
f. Goal: Assist the States in sponsoring forums for government and non-government
organizations involved in AMD efforts within the State.
Activity:
The National Association of State Land Reclamationists conducted its 25th Annual Conference
in Little Rock Arkansas.
The West Virginia Surface Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium met in Morgantown, WV in
April 1996. Three hundred attendees heard the results of theoretical and applied research, and
field application results of projects in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West
Virginia.
g. Goal: Promote tours of AMD sites and reclamation projects.
Activity:
OSM, EPA, and various states regularly host tours to showcase the latest in effective AMD
abatement techniques. The OSM and EPA will continue to support and organize these events
as an excellent way of technology transfer for on-the-ground effectiveness.
OSM, EPA, COE, NRCS, NMLRC, and various state AML-related agencies will provide
speakers, displays, and literature for organized events related to AMD abatement. The OSM
Clearinghouse in Pittsburgh or EPA Region HI office in Philadelphia for possible scheduling of
these resources.
h. Goal: OSM will seek to increase funds available and EPA will continue to provide
funding and technical assistance for State directed clean-up projects and strategies.
Activity:
OSM announced that its Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 budged includes $4.3 million for the ACSI
program. These funds will attract additional funds through other government programs as well
as through continued private-sector participation. In FY97, EPA provided grants to states under
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the Section 319 program, the Section 104(b)(3) program and the Regional Geographic Initiatives
(RGIs).
i. Goal: Provide technical and financial assistance to the International Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) projects in restoring aquatic resources.
Activity:
The partnership with the IAFWA includes fifteen federal agencies and sixteen state fish and
wildlife agencies. This partnership developed twelve AMD projects that would restore AMD-
impacted streams to a condition of supporting a fishery. Nine of these projects, along with four
other AMD projects received $4.3 million dollars as seed money to begin the projects.
j. Goal: Compile an index of potential funding programs for AMD projects.
Activity:
Watershed Districts are currently conducting an inventory of potential AMD sites. Watershed
sampling is tied to a Ground Positioning System (GPS) to accurately locate AMD sources, even
in steep terrain.
k. Goal: Develop a directory of all government and non-government representatives for
AMD related programs, projects, and other activities.
Activity:
The Clean Streams List Server provides the latest clean stream news. Interested persons
subscribe by sending the message "subscribe cleanstream" to the Internet address:
majordomo@osmre.gov. The listserver administrator will respond with a brief subscriber
questionnaire used for approval processing, and then the free subscription will begin. The
Listserver is simply a broadcasting mechanism to repeat any message sent to the Internet
address: cleanstream@osmre.gov. If you experience any trouble reaching the listserver to
subscribe or send messages, contact the Clean stream Listserver administrator at (412) 937-2863.
The Clean Streams Contact List is available on disk, through the WWW, or as a paper copy,
reads like a Who's Who of the clean streams community. Listings of citizens, local, state, and
federal government contacts who are involved in the clean streams effort have been compiled
and are regularly updated. For a copy, contact the OSM Clean Streams Clearinghouse.
The Clean Streams Watershed-based Directory of Information will provide those persons
cleaning streams with available data sources in their area and also an awareness of other past or
planned ACSI-related activities in their watershed. OSMs ARCC is developing a directory of
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information, organized by drainage basins. This dynamic document will be available on disk,
electronically, and in paper copy through the ARCC and the WWW.
Communities wanting cleaner streams need to know where to start. The Citizens' Guide will
help point the way with a step-by-step process. The Guide will provide clear explanations of the
mine drainage problem, directions for evaluating the scope of the problem and simple overviews
of the abatement technology. In addition, advice on how to organize a coalition; and
information on potential funding sources will be included along with references of other
publications with more detailed information. The guide, designed by citizens who have
undertaken their own mine drainage projects, is planned to be available by late 1997.
1. Goal: OSM will coordinate a Technical Notes section for technology transfer within the
AMD newsletter.
Activity:
OSM relays technical information from its contacts with the various State agencies to the
National mine Land Reclamation Center for inclusion in its newsletter, Minelands.
m. Goal: Place AMD related information on Electronic Bulletin Boards.
Activity:
The EPA Region HI Philadelphia office has loaded the Statement of Mutual Intent and the
related Strategic Plan onto the national Nonpoint Source Bulletin Board (NPS BB). EPA Region
ID will load additional mine drainage information and will upgrade similar information, by
October 1,1997, on EPA's Region HI Homepage. To become a NPS BB member dial (301) 589-
0295 to connect your computer with the EPA server. To access the bulletin board a PC or
terminal, telecommunications software (such as Crosstalk or Pro Comm.), a modem, and a phone
line are necessary.
n. Goal: Support research efforts and demonstration projects that promote science of
AMD reclamation.
Activity:
Federal and state agencies are serving on the Technical Advisory Committee for the resource
recovery program. With other resources and services, these agencies are also supporting local
groups with field projects of an AMD nature, but not limited to sites designated as recipients of
the formal funding programs.
o. Goal: Develop a remining program that provides incentives for reclamation while
protecting environmental quality.
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Activity:
An important aspect of the AMD cleanup effort is the remining of abandoned mines for
salvageable coal while providing reclamation and AMD reduction. Although the Clean Water
Act allows less stringent limits for remining, compliance with water quality standards which
creates an obstacle. EPA and OSM are committed to promoting effective remining programs in
the states. Eliminating barriers to remining and increasing environmentally acceptable
incentives for the practice are important for enticing industry to remine more abandoned mines
and provide reclamation and pollution reduction at no cost to the public. As required by the
Energy Policy Act of 1992, OSM has proposed rulemaking for some remining incentives. The
most notable proposal is to exclude remining violations from permit blocking. OSM and EPA
are seeking input on an expanded list of barriers and incentives, and have met with state
agencies to identify attributes of good state remining programs. A guidance report will be
developed for approval by OSM and the EPA Office of Science and Technology.
At the state level, legislation is pending in Pennsylvania for several incentives, including
monitoring and other assistance, particularly if remining occurs in impacted watersheds targeted
for cleanup. West Virginia and Maryland now have water quality standards variance procedures
which may increase remining activity.
p. Goal: Produce an annual report that relies on measurable environmental and
programmatic indicators, accountability measures, and performance with this Statement
of Intent.
Activity:
The 1995 Progress Report was produced.
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Success Stories, State by State
Is this regional effort of partnerships really doing something about the AMD problem -
something that can be observed on the ground? The answer is a resounding YES! This section
describes a few of the many success stories.
OH
KY
TN
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ALABAMA
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding Programs:
North-central Alabama has 365 stream miles contaminated with AMD. The Alabama
Department of Industrial Relations (ADIR) administers the Alabama AML Program. Currently,
ADER does not have an established 10% set-aside program. Any Priority 3 aspects of the site,
(including AMD) can be corrected on a site in conjunction with reclamation of Priority 1 or 2
conditions. The State has received EPA 319 grants and ACSI funding for its projects, described
below:
Projects:
1. Berry Mountain Mining, Blount County, Alabama,
This site consists of a previously reclaimed coal washer
facility which included a coarse refuse disposal area and
slurry ponds. The area was reclaimed under Alabama's
Title V bond forfeiture program. Offsite impacts were
eliminated with the exception of an area which contains
a large AMD seep associated with the coarse refuse
disposal site. This seep discharges into the Calvert
Prong of the Locust Fork River, upstream of the
pumping station that supplies drinking water to the City
of Oneonta. Iron precipitate from the AMD clogs the
filters at the pumping station and affects the quality of the drinking water. A wetland has been
constructed below the seep to assist in cleaning up the AMD. To enhance the effectiveness of
the wetland, an anoxic limestone drain will be constructed below the seep.
2. Auburn University Sunlight Demonstration Project, Walker County, Alabama. Water
leaving an abandoned coal loading area on this site flows into Blackwater Creek. Prior to
treatment the water pH was 3.0. In 1994, an EPA 319 grant to the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management was coupled with inkind services by Drummond Coal and other
sources to evaluate the benefits of applying poultry litter on AML sites. In conjunction with
conventional grading and revegetation of the site, application of poultry litter at rates up to 40
tons/acre were applied. Stream acidity has been reduced and levels of iron and manganese have
been reduced to 50% of the pretreatment levels. Stream bed sediment has been eliminated. The
project was completed in March 1995. Long term vegetation (reforestation) is the proposed land
use.
3. Cane Creek, Walker County, Alabama. Twenty five acres of mine refuse piles and deep
mine portals located along the banks of Black Branch dump acid mine drainage with pH values
as low as 3.2, and high levels of iron and manganese into Cane Creek. The site is within the
Wolf Creek Wildlife Management Area. Upstream of the intercept with Black Branch, the water
in Cane Creek has a pH of 7.3 and low iron and manganese. The toxic impacts of the water
entering Cane Creek destroy fish habitat as far as 20 miles downstream. In 1996, the ACSI
program provided $325,000 to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations for the first
phase of reclamation of the Cane Creek AMD reclamation project. A combination of traditional
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mine reclamation and the construction of anoxic limestone trenches and artificial wetlands will
be used to treat the water.
Partnership Groups Include:
AL Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit - Auburn University
AL Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
US Geological Survey - National Biological Services
AL Department of Environmental Management
AL Department of Industrial Relations
Office of Surface Mining
AL Geological Survey
Black Branch flows through this acidic refuse area and drains into Cane Creek.
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INDIANA
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding Programs:
Indiana has 17 miles of streams affected by AMD, all are tributaries of the Potoka River in Pike
County. The State has received a $325,000 grant to initiate programs to clean up these sites.
Indiana also uses the 10% set-aside program for the use of AML funds for these problem sites.
The State has directed additional funds to this program which is administered by the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources - Division of Reclamation.
Projects:
1. Wheeler Creek South and North, Patoka River, Pike
County Indiana. Three acres of vegetation have been
killed by some seeps that produce acid water (pH 3.0 -
4.0) that passes through 1.5 miles of the watershed. An
anoxic limestone drain and a successive alkaline
producing wetland system will be installed after design by
the USDA-NRCS or the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources.
2. Augusta Lake, Mill Creek, Patoka River, Pike County,
Indiana. A 25-foot deep, 52-acre lake contains 500 acre feet of acid water (pH 3.8) within the
Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Management Area. The lake water enters into Mill Creek and
requires treatment by the Winslow Water Treatment Plant. Surface sources of AMD have been
neutralized with AMDs and SAPPs. However a one-time shock treatment of the lake is needed
to raise the pH to 7.0.
Partnership Groups Include:
Indiana Department of Natural Resources-Division of Reclamation
Patoka South Fork Watershed Steering Committee
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
Office of Surface Mining
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Contractor plants cattails in this wetland constructed in Augusta Lake
Compost and cattails are combined to trap metals in this wetland in Augusta Lake.
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KENTUCKY
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding Programs:
Kentucky has approximately 600 miles of streams affected by AMD. Of these, 200 miles are in
the Eastern coalfields and 400 miles in the Western coalfields. The most impacted watersheds
are the Cumberland River Basin in the east and the Tradewater River Basin in the west.
Through its Department for Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Kentucky is
preparing an ACSI grant request for $325,000 to clean up the Brier Creek Site.
Projects:
1. Brier Creek, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Thirty
acres of coal refuse piles and spoil release acidic water
along 2500 to 3000 feet of this stream. The impact is
noted 6 to 12 miles downstream in the Pond River.
Peabody Coal Company and the DSMRE/ DAL have been
monitoring the site. Previously developed plans to reclaim
this site have been modified. The current plan calls for the
coal refuse to be graded, buried and removed from contact
with surface water flowing across the site. This practice
has been successful on other nearby sites.
Partnership Groups Include:
Kentucky Department of Surface Mining and Reclamation, Division of Abandoned Lands
Kentucky Division of Water Office of Surface Mining
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
US Army Corps of Engineers
National Park Service
Nature Conservancy
US Forest Service
Stream characteristics are monitored on a regular basis.
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MARYLAND
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding Programs:
Maryland has 450 miles of State rivers and streams contaminated by AMD in Allegany and
Garrett Counties. An AMD Advisory Committee consisting of industry, citizens, state and
federal representatives evaluate and advise on the need for AMD-related projects. Maryland's
set-aside program was approved in March 1993. Maryland has received an ACSI grant and EPA
funding.
Projects:
1. Cherry Creek, Garrett County, Maryland. Cherry
Creek, named for its deep reddish color produced by
organic bog tannin begins as a naturally acidic, low-
gradient, slow-flowing stream. But all of that changes,
when the acidic discharges from the Glotfelty Strip
Mine and the Teets Deep Mine release high levels of
iron into Cherry Creek. Just four miles upstream of
Deep Creek Lake, the State's largest fresh water lake,
the water quality becomes contaminated, and acres of
the highly-valued Sphagnum bogs are damaged.
Recreation and tourism at Deep Creek Lake are affected,
and an EPA grant of $50,000 will be used to construct anoxic drains, limestone channels and
anaerobic and aerobic wetlands and other alkalinity-producing systems. The existing treatment
wetlands will also be improved.
2. North Branch of the Potomac River, Maryland and West Virginia. The COE negotiated a
contract to examine the degradation of the aquatic ecosystem. The initial Feasibility Cost-
sharing Agreement is with state agencies, the WVDNR, WVDEP and the MDE. A protocol has
been developed for water sampling and analysis. EPA-funded lime dosers were installed at
Laurel Run, Gorman, Lostland Run and Kitzmiller treat perpetual deep mine discharges that
empty into the North Branch of the Potomac River. Impacts of the dosers is shown in Table 1.
Interest from a State 10% Set Aside program will pay for the annual operational costs. A new
study will examine the effect of the lime precipitate on the benthic and macro-organisms in the
streams.
Table 1. Impacts of Dosers on Tributaries of the North Branch of the Potomac River
Location
Flow
pH
(Spd)
Pre-treatment
Post-treatment
Laurel Run
15 million
3.2
7.0
Gorman
—
6.8
6.9
Lostland Run
13.4 million
6.5
7.0
Kitzmiller
415 thousand
3.2
7.0
An ACSI program grant of $100,000
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3. Elk Lick, Garrett County, Maryland. Underground mine drainage of pH 2.7 to 3.0 drains
from underground workings in a watershed of 3.69 square miles. Wetlands, water diversion
channels, successive alkaline producing systems (SAPS) and alkaline limestone drains (ALDS) 1
have been installed.
4. Winding Ridge, XIX County, Maryland Fly ash and scrubber sludge and fluidized bed ash
are pumped into a 25-acre abandoned deep mine. The purpose is to treat 15 gpm of AMD
drainage and dispose of the ash. <
5. Georges Creek, Allegany County, Maryland The headwater of Georges Creek is at
Frostburg. It flows generally southward through 47,515 acres until it empties into the North
Branch of the Potomac River at Westernport. Georges Creek is fed by numerous untreated acid
discharges from abandoned surface and underground mines. The Land and Water Restoration <
Section of the Maryland Bureau of Mines has targeted Georges Creek as a priority stream for
restoration by treatment and abatement of acid mine drainage. The most prominent acid-
producing sites are: Mill Run, Georges Creek School Seep, Neff Run-Mathews Run,
Winebrenner Run and Potomac Hill Run. An EPA-funded graphic information system (GIS) is
used to locate each site in the inital study. .
Deep Creek Lake Property Owners Association
Potomac Council, Boy Scouts of America
AMD Advisory Committee of Maryland
MD Department of Natural Resources
MD Department of the Environment
National Wild Turkey Federation
Allegany County Commissioners
Mill Run Watershed Association
Garrett County Commissioners
The Canann Valley Institute
Frostburg State University
Tri-Star Mining Company
Office of Surface Mining
Barton Mining Company
Buffalo Coal Company
Westmar High School
Corps of Engineers
Ducks Unlimited
Trout Unlimited
Automated doser at Laurel Run
24
Partnership Groups Include:
Land and Water Restoration Section, MD Bureau of Mines
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
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OHIO
Extent of the Problem, Organization and Funding Programs: Ohio has more than 70 miles of
its streams affected by AMD. A review committee evaluates projects proposed for funding by
Ohio's 10% set-aside program. State matching funds and monies from industry are also used.
Projects:
1. Monday Creek in South-central, Ohio. Numerous abandoned coal
mines feed acidic water into Monday Creek as it passes through the
heart of Ohio's mining counties. Approximately 44% of the 116
square mile watershed is severely impacted. The Monday Creek
Restoration Project (the name of the watershed group) has a plan for
watershed assessment. Stream monitoring has been completed at
several sites. The State received a EPA 319 grant and a ACSI grant
for restoration at some of these sites. Prominent sites include:
Rock Run Gob Pile, a site on Monday Creek,
Perry County, Ohio. Seepage from a 40-acre
drainage basin of underground mines passes
through a 13-acre slurry impoundment and gob pile
and contributes a 25- to 150-gpm flow of acidic
water (pH = 2.6) and soluble metals including
aluminum into a one half mile length of Rock Run
Stream, which is the headquarters of Monday
Creek.
The site will be regraded to divert the water from
the deep mines. Successive alkalinity producing
wetlands (SAPS) will be used to remove 120 lb/day
from the deep mine drainage above the gob pile.
Alkaline byproducts from the Flue Gas
Desulfurization will form an impermeable cover
over the gob pile. Ohio University is designing the
system; bidding is expected in Spring '97, and
construction will begin in Summer '79.
Sampling a seep on Monday Creek
Snow Fork, a tributary of Monday Creek, Athens County, Ohio. This tributary drains 27
squares miles and is the largest tributary of Monday Creek. Receiving abandoned drift mine
discharge from the Essex Mine Diversion Well and several smaller tributaries which include
Brush Fork and Goose Run, Snow Fork is the stream most severely impacted by AMD.
Remediation of Snow Fork will include work at the Essex Mine diversion Well Site, and on
Brush Fork and Goose Run as follows:
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Essex Mine Diversion Well, a tributary (or site?) of Snow Fork in Perry County, Ohio.
Drainage from a deep mine complex leaves the site at a rate of 1200 gpm . The water has a 2880
lb/day acidity equivalent and contributes a high iron and aluminum precipitation into Sycamore
Hollow and Snow Fork, tributaries of Monday Creek. The problem will be corrected by
rerouting the discharge through an alkalinity diversion well. Three miles of Sycamore Hollow
and 2 miles of Snow Fork will be improved.
Brush Fork, a tributary of Snow Fork in Hocking County, Ohio. Numerous acidic discharges
from underground drift mines and strip (bench) mines in this 3072-acre watershed flow into
Brush Fork. Stream dosing with granular limestone is proposed to treat the difiuse sources of
seeps. Three miles of Brush Fork and four miles of Snow Fork will be improved.
Goose Run, a tributary of Snow Fork in Athens County, Ohio. Surface runoff on a 414-acre
watershed collect in subsidence holes and abandoned mine portals along Goose Run before
entering Snow Fork. The reclamation plan calls for routing the surface water away from the
voids along the coal outcrop, and directing it to empty directly into Snow Fork. The portals will
also be closed.
Majestic Mine, a tributary of Monday Creek, Athens County, Ohio. Surface water infiltrates
into the surface over 100 acres of a deep mine complex. There, it becomes part of the mine pool
which is toxic as it leaves the site at 400 to 1200 gpm. Mitigation procedures will consist of
plugging subsidence holes over the mine complex to reduce infiltration. The surface water will
be diverted into a new stream channel. The mine shafts and adios will also be closed. These
efforts should reduce the acid loading by 70%. This project, in combination with the reduced
loading from Snow Fork, should significantly improve the water quality of Monday Creek near
its mouth. Completion of this project will create a fish migration corridor from the Hocking
River.
2. Captina Creek, Belmont County, Ohio. A 12-acre coal waste pile discharges AMD along
this creek which empties into the Ohio river. The reclamation plan calls for construction of
successive alkaline-producing systems (SAPS) and wetland treatment cells. The site will be
graded to minimize off-site drainage. This site is one of the last unabated sources of AMD on
this 38.6 mile long stream known for its smallmouth bass fishing.
3. Little Racoon Creek, Vinton to Gallia Counties, Ohio. Site monitoring was completed in
Summer '96. A watershed plan calls for the development of a fifteen acre wetland treatment
system, planting 75 acres of abandoned mine land with trees, and reclaiming 75 acres of surface
mined sites. The plan also addresses non-point source pollution from 15 livestock operators and
sediment caused by logging operations in the watershed. Ohio AML grant monies will pay for
the design of the treatment system.
4. Huff Run, Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties, Ohio. This watershed is located at the
northern end of Ohio's coalfield. Monitoring of the stream began in the Summer of 1996. Mount
Union College is assisting with the biological assessment of the stream. The lower six miles of
this nine mile stream are severely impacted by AMD. The Huff Run Watershed Committee held
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its first meeting in August of 1996. The Committee is developing an application for an EPA 319
grant. DMR will receive bids for a 50-acre AMD project this year.
5. Kimble Creek, Lawrence County, Ohio. AMD from an abandoned underground mine
discharges into Kimble Creek, a small tributary of Pine Creek in Southern Ohio. A coalition of
government agencies formed a watershed group to address the problems on this site. The Ohio
EPA completed a biological assessment of the area in the Summer of 1996. Stream monitoring
is ongoing. The coalition is working on abatement strategies.
6. Wills Creek, Coshocton County, Ohio The COE, American Electric Power and the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources have designed a system using anoxic limestone drain and
wetland ponds to treat acid flows the Linton Road Mine Drainage area into the COE's Wills
Creek Flood Control Reservoir. The coal mine refuse pile will also receive an application of
flue-gas desulfiirization (FGD) products.
Partnership Groups Include:
National Environmental Training Cooperative
ODNR Division of Mines and Reclamation
USDA Forest Service (Wayne NF)
US Army Corps of Engineers
ODNR Division of Wildlife
Hocking Technical College
Office of Surface Mining
American Electric Power
US Geological Survey
Mount Union College
Ohio University
USDA-NRCS
Rural Action
Ohio EPA
Mount Union College student Kevin Puis
prepares an "aquatic habitat" in Huff Run
during a biological survey.
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I
PENNSYLVANIA
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding Programs:
Abandoned coal mines have left a legacy of acid mine drainage and acidic spoil piles in 45 of
Pennsylvania's 67 counties. More than 2,500 miles of Pennsylvania streams are affected.
Pennsylvania has increased the number of staff involved in their expanded AMD programs.
Staff and resources are dedicated to forming watershed groups, developing watershed restoration
plans, collecting stream data and implementing AMD treatment plans. More than 40 watershed
restoration groups and other AMD partnerships are active in Pennsylvania. Two regional
coalitions are noteworthy for their strong leadership. The Western Pennsylvania Coalition for
Abandoned Mine Reclamation (WPCAMR) was established to provide leadership for
encouraging the reclamation, development, and best use of abandoned mine lands in the
bituminous coal area of 24 counties in western Pennsylvania. The Eastern Pennsylvania
Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) has a similar program to encourage the
reclamation and imiprovement of land and water affected by past mining practices in 16 counties
in eastern Pennsylvania. In recent years, both coalitions have focused on projects related to
AMD, and have developed programs to be implemented through the County Conservation
Districts. Local community support and involvement is an essential component of the programs.
The watershed group projects are supported by Federal agencies including OSM, EPA, and the
NRCS, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). Eight approved
Pennsylvania 10% AMD Set-Aside sites are in various stages of design and construction by the
PADEP. The WPCAMR received funds from EPA's 319 Grant Program and approved 6 new
AMD projects for cleanup. It now has 16 funded projects in 12 counties through the PADEP
Bureau of Watershed Conservation. PADEP is also using the 10% AMD Set-Aside Fund to help
meet the local matching requirements of other Federal AMD abatement grants, and thereby
leveraging the opportunities for cleanup efforts.
Members of the PA Mountain
Services Corps (PMSC) have
collected and analyzed water
samples from abandoned coal mine
sites in southwestern Pennsylvania.
PMSC is Pennsylvania's component
of AmeriCorps, a National Service
Corporation which provides college
graduates with an opportunity to
contribute their time and talents to
solving environmental problems.
The program is coordinated through
the local NRCS staff.
AmeriCorps participant Stephanie Pruss measures water
characteristics in the laboratory at St. Vincent College.
28
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10
Projects:
1. Little Toby Creek, Elk
County, Pennsylvania. Brandy
Camp discharges about 600 gpm
of low pH, high iron and
aluminum water into Little Toby
Creek. The Little Toby Creek
Watershed Association has
received commitments of
monies from the ACSI and
PADEP's 10% Set-Aside
Program to design and install a
limestone grinder and a series of Location of AMD project sites in Pennsylvania
settling ponds as a passive
treatment system. Cleanup of the water will improve 12 miles of the creek in the upper
watershed and 12 miles in the lower watershed. Several other discharges also need treatment
before the entire watershed can be restored and returned to a cold water trout fishery stream.
Treatment of these discharges is part of an NRCS proposal using the PL566 small watershed
restoration program. Little Toby Creek empties into the Clarion River which was recently
designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.
2. Quemahoning Creek, Stoneycreek River, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Two primary
sites on Quemahoning Creek have been identified for treatment. One site is a 300 gpm acid
discharge at an abandoned water plant. Cleaning up this site will help put the plant back in
service, and provide another source of potable water for the nearby community. The site will use
a SAPS system. The other site is an alkaline discharge of 110 gpm at a location four miles
downstream. A wetland and aeration system will be constructed for this site. Ten miles of
stream will be directly improved by these two projects which will be funded by EPA and ACSI
grants. Strong leadership to correct these two sites comes from the Stonycreek Conemaugh
River Improvement Project (SCRIP). Twelve other AMD sites in this watershed have already
been located and will be included in the watershed reclamation plan.
3. Oven Run, Stoneycreek River, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Underground mines and
surface mines in the Oven Run Watershed and the Pokeytown Run Watershed contribute AMD
(pH 2.5 to 3.1) to Stoney Creek at their confluence near Oven Run. Downstream, Stoney Creek
is void of trout; and the water treatment plant at Hooversville requires additional costs for
making the water potable. Anoxic limestone drains and a series of wetlands have been
constructed by the NRCS to treat the AMD at a major discharge. Funding for the treatment
system came from EPA, NRCS, the State and local sources. Using a multi-agency team approach
that includes a strong local watershed association, the NRCS and the PADEP are moving
forward on several new AMD abatement projects in the same area. Together, these projects will
significantly improvement the water quality of the Stoneycreek River.
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4. Scrubgrass Run, Allegheny County,
Pennsylvania. The abandoned Nixon
Mine discharges iron-laden water at a
rate of 275 gpm into Chartiers Creek.
Beginning as an education project for
students at Chartiers Valley High School,
this project has raised community, state
and national awareness and prompted a
local mine drainage campaign. OSM,
EPA and other sources provided funds to
construct a 2-pond passive treatment
system which will trap the iron and
sediment. The system will be operational
in early Spring, 1997.
5. Blacklick Creek, Cambria and
Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania. Major tributaries of this 420 square mile watershed include
Blacklick Creek, Two Lick Creek, Yellow Creek and Elk Creek. More that 270 miles of streams
are polluted by discharges from 300 surface coal mines, 170 coal refuse dumps and 200 miles of
underground mines. About 300,000 pounds of acid are produced daily from 90 known pollution
sources. The COE has designed a passive treatment facility to clean up the Webster mine
discharge in Nanty Glo, PA. Construction funding is pending. Clean up of this 300 gpm
discharge will restore about seven miles of the South Branch of Blacklick Creek. The creek is
well known for its multipurpose, stone surface trail (the Ghost Town Trail) along its banks and
recreational use. A partnership of more than 20 organizations including the very active
Blacklick Creek Watershed Association is involved in this project.
6. Monastery Run, Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania. An active
partnership including Federal, state, local
agencies, and St. Vincent's College is
working together to treat AMD that
discharges from college property and enters
Monastery Run and Loyalhanna Creek at
Latrobe. Multiple discharges severely
impact downstream water quality of
Loyalhanna Creek for 21 miles. Three
treatment facilities will be constructed by
NRCS and PADEP, using Federal, state
and private funds. The PADEP project,
funded with 10% AMD Set-Aside monies. Pamela Halsel ,ean WmSard ^P16 21,(1
is already under construction. ** AMD drainaSe Monastery Run.
Conservationists, state and community leaders,
educators at the Scrubgrass Run groundbreaking.
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7. Swatara Creek, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. AMD pollution from anthracite coal in
the upper 43 miles of this 169 square mile watershed has hampered the State's plan to develop a
State Park Lake since 1970. More than $250,000 in EPA funds have been granted for mine
drainage abatement projects including wetlands, diversions wells, anoxic drains, sand-sized
limestone dosing and limestone channeling for this project. Three limestone diversion wells
have been installed and 250 tons of limestone sand have been added. A large silt dam was also
constructed; it reduced the load from 1615 ppm of suspended solids to 10 ppm discharged. An
aquatic survey in July 1996, showed a population of brook and native trout and other fish
downstream of the reclamation site.
8. Slippery Rock Creek, Butler County,
Pennsylvania. AMD impacts nearly all 31 stream
miles in this 27 square mile watershed. The Slippery
Rock Watershed Coalition was formed in 1994.
Today it has representatives from four state agencies,
four academic institutions, six or more private
companies, and several non-profit groups. The
Coalition secured funds exceeding $350,000 to install
a variety of low maintenance, environmentally friendly
treatment systems, including the largest known anoxic
limestone drain, located on PA Game Commission
Land near Argentine, PA. The site receives 45 ppm
iron and discharges 12 ppm iron.
9. Babb Creek, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Beginning in the late 1700's, discharges from
deep mines have contributed AMD to the 25 miles of streams in this tributary to Pine Creek, a
cold water fishery in northeast Pennsylvania. The local watershed group works with the PADEP
and the PA Bureau of Forestry to install and maintain six limestone diversion wells in the
watershed. A passive treatment wetlands facility is near construction, and a deep mine grouting
project is in the planning stages.
10. Mill Creek, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Broad public support for outdoor recreation,
including fishing, is evident in Clarion County. An energetic group focused on improving water
in quality in Mill Creek, one of five major tributaries degraded by AMD before entering the
Clarion River. Despite a decreasing water quality trend, Mill Creek still had a few areas that
sustained native brook trout; and was a candidate for reclamation. In 1996, a sixth passive
treatment system was installed, the McKinley Discharge site. Field studies conducted by
Clarion University indicate that the areas which can support fishery populations on Mill Creek
have increased significantly.
Contractor spreads limestone to
create an anoxic limestone drain.
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Limestone diversion wells on Swatara Creek.
Partnership Groups Include:
Allegheny Watershed Network
Anthracite Region Schuylkill River Watershed Association
Babb Creek Trush fund
Big Wapwallopen Creek Watershed Association
Blacklick Creek Watershed Association
Cambria/Indiana Counties Trails Council
Casselman River Task Force
Catawissa Creek Restoration Association
Chartiers Valley High School
Chest Creek Watershed Association
Clarion River Basin Commission:
Conservation Districts throughout Pennsylvania
Cowanshannock Creek Watershed Associaton
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Crooked Creek Watershed Association
Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Fayette Abandoned Mine Effort
Fayette Forward
Headwaters Charitable Trust
Horseshoe Curve Resources Coalition
Kiski-Connemaugh River Basin Alliance
Lackawanna River Corridor Association
Lackawanna River Watch
Latrobe Foundation
Little Clearfield Creek Watershed Association
Little Schuylkill Conservation Club
Little Toby Creek Watershed Association
Little Sewickley Creek Watershed Association
Loyalhanna Creek Mine Drainage Coalition
Loyalhanna Watershed Assocation:
Mill Creek Coalition
Monastery Run Improvement Project
Mountain Watershed Association
Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association
Oven Run Partnership
Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group
Penn State University
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Abandoned Mine
Reclamation
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Pennsylvania National Guard - 876th Engineering Battalion
Pennsylvania Organization for Waterhseds and Rivers
Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group
Quemahoning Creek Workgroup
Roaring Run Watershed Association
Schrader Creek Watershed Asssociation
Scrubgrass Run Watershed Project
Sewickley Creek Watershed Association
Slippery Rock Watershed Association
Squaw Run Watershed Association
Stoneycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project
Swatara Watershed Alliance
Trout Unlimited
Turtle Creek Watershed Association
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resource Conservation Service
U.S. Geological Survey
West Branch Susquehanna Rescue
Western Pennsylvania Coaliton for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Wisconisco Creek Restoration Association
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TENNESSEE
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding Programs:
Tennessee has three principal watersheds that contribute AMD to its streams. Federal agencies
support the strong leadership taken by state agencies, local groups and individuals to improve
and protect these resources. Federal agencies and States representing the southern part of
Appalachia joined the Statement of Mutual Intent program during a signing ceremony at the
North Chickamauga Creek site on October 1, 1996.
Projects:
1. North Chickamauga Creek, Hamilton County,
Tennessee. Eighteen miles of North Chickamauga
Creek are damaged by AMD from historic
underground and surface coal mine in its headwaters
in the Walden Ridge province. Project objectives
include identification of the significant AMD sources
and designing passive treatment systems. Wetlands and anoxic drains have been installed at
Rattlesnake and the Standifer #1 and #2 sites. AMD treatment at the Three Sisters and the
Standifer #15 sites are nearly completed.
2. Laurel Creek, Fentress County, Tennessee. Fifteen abandoned mile sites in the Big Laurel
Creek watershed contribute most of the AMD to the East Fork of the Obey River, once noted for
its outstanding sportfishing of small mouth bass and the famed Cumberland Muskie. Survey and
design efforts have preceded two contracts to construct anoxic alkaline drains, and wetlands on
Laurel Creek. Regrading and vegetation will reclaim spoil piles.
3. Bear Creek, Scott County, Tennessee. AMD from 689 acres of pre-SMCRA unreclaimed
strip mines and unmapped deep mines empty into Bear Creek, a tributary of the Big South Fork
of the Cumberland River. When this contaminated drainage leaves Tennessee, it flows northward
into Kentucky's Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, managed by the National
Park Service.
Uncased oil and gas wells located in the Bear Creek watershed also contribute pollutants. Five
sites have been improved by construction of anoxic drains and wetlands. Mine spoils have been
regraded and stabilized with vegetation to reduce erosion and stream sedimentation.
Partnership Groups include:
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service
Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning
USDA - Agricultural Extension Service
Scott County Soil Conservation District
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Tennessee Technological University
USDI - Fish and Wildlife Service
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USDI - Office of Surface Mining
Tennessee Conservation League
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USDI - National Park Service
City of Oneida, Tennessee
USDI - Geological Survey
Scott County Commission
USDI - Bureau of Mines
s\reams
Linda Hixson, President of Friends of North Chickamauga Creek
Greenway welcomes participants to the Second Statement of
Mutual Intent Signing Ceremony at Greenway Park on the North
Chickamauga River Tennessee.
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VIRGINIA
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding Programs:
Virginia has 25 miles of State rivers and streams contaminated by acid mine AMD. The Virginia
Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) is conducting a comprehensive inventory of
coalfield streams and compiling the site locations utilizing Ground Positioning Systems (GPS).
Funding for this inventory is provided from EPA's 104(b)(3) grant monies. DMLR completed
sampling all known AMD sites and completed a random
sample of streams in the Clinch, Powell and Guest River
Basins. DMLR is currently completing a random survey
in the Big Sandy River Basin. The Upper Tennessee
River Basin Protection Planning Committee meets
annually to discuss activities related to studies,
protection and remediation of the Upper Tennessee River
which includes Lee, and portions of Wise, Dickenson,
Tazewell and Russell Counties.
Projects:
1. Black Creek, Wise County, Virginia, Acid and metal-laden discharges from underground
mines and acidic surface mine spoils along Black Creek have negatively impacted the water
quality and aquatic life. Black Creek is a direct tributary to the Powell River, which is a cold
water fishery stocked with trout by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The
Tennessee Valley Authority (TV A) conducted an aquatic survey of Black Creek using the Index
of Biotic Integrity (IBI). The EBI ranked Black Creek very poor biologically. DMLR used AML
administrative monies to fund a Virginia Tech study to identify and perform a detailed water
quality analysis of discharges in the watershed. Two endangered fish species and nine mussel
species in the Powell river are impacted.
Seines and electro-shocking devices are used to inventory aquatic species
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A recently-approved permit was issued to Red River Coal Company to remine a portion of the
watershed. Red River Coal proposes to daylight the abandoned underground mine which should
eliminate all six major seeps and reclaim the acidic spoils. The mining operation will not impact
the large metal-laden wetland which the Virginia Tech study found to contribute significant
metals to stream flow during high flow events. Clean Stream activities will abate the AMD
problems not slated to be remined. This partnership will allow the AMD impacts to the
watershed to be abated at a minimum cost to the government.
2. Ely Creek, Lee County, Virginia. A major AMD discharge from an abandoned underground
mine and several areas of acid mine spoil have affected Ely Creek and downstream sections of
Stone Creek and the North Fork of the Powell River. Two EPA 319 grants have been matched
by DMLR set-aside funds to begin remedial work. The project design is nearly complete and
construction should begin in late summer to coincide with seasonal low flows.
Partnership Groups Include:
Virginia Department of Conservation & Reclamation
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Virginia Division of Mined Land Reclamation
Environmental Protection Agency
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Red River Coal Company
Office of Surface Mining
The Nature Conservancy
The benefits of this wetland on Ely Creek have been consumed. It needs to be recharged.
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WEST VIRGINIA
Extent of the Problem, Organization, and Funding
Programs:
Acid mine drainage is the most serious problem in
2,852 stream miles in West Virginia. In 1996, the
Governor initiated a West Virginia Streams Partners
Program - a joint effort of State agencies to provide
financial support and technical assistance to broad-
base, community-level groups that would develop a
strategic plan; and then complete a short-term
watershed improvement project. Grants were
subsequently awarded to 19 organizations. In 1996,
the WV legislature passed the West Virginia Streams
Partners Program, effectively extending the program into 1999.
One successful initiative is the West Virginia
Watershed Network, an informal association
of Federal and state agencies that collectively
support efforts and provide resources
necessary to empower local residents to make
decisions for sustainable management of their
resources.
Two other initiatives have also provided
results. A newsletter, Waternet,
communicates information on resources
available through the Network and through
participation in the association. The local
capacity training program is a series of
workshops of interest to local watershed groups. This program provides training for establishing
watershed associations and leadership training to local watershed group leaders.
Projects:
1. Cheat River Basin, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker and Preston Counties, West Virginia.
The COE completed a study of the AMD, "A Cheat River Basin, West Virginia Comprehensive
Study." The study revealed that the lower 20 miles of the Cheat River are severely damaged by
drainage from 10,000 acres of abandoned underground deep mines that discharge millions of
gallons of AMD into the Cheat through its eight major tributaries. The upper and middle basins
are not major contributors, although some sites have been located.
Greens Run, Preston County, West Virginia. Anker Energy Corporation constructed an anoxic
limestone drain on the Middle Fork of Greens Run which feeds into the Cheat River. The water
discharge rate decreased to 0 to 30 gpm. Investigations revealed that the iron precipitated and
plugged the pores between the limestone rock. Drill holes were made in the rock and a
Watershed groups meet in training sessions.
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compressor pressurized the holes to loosen the stone. The flow rate increased to 65 gpm. The
pH is stable at 7.07 and the iron level is only 11 ppm.
2. Middle Fork River, Randolph
County, West Virginia. For the past 23
years, AMD polluted the lower 32
miles of this river. Five anoxic
limestone drains, two anaerobic and
two aerobic wetlands have been
constructed on one site in this drainage.
A flyash cap was placed over the same
site.
About 8,000 tons of limestone sand
were distributed among 41 treatment
sites on 27 tributaries. The entire river
has been rejuvenated. Once the pH was
stable (6.0), the WVDNR stocked the
Middle Fork river with fish.
3. Grassy Run, Tygart River,
Randolph County, West Virginia.
Grassy Run is a small watershed (2.92
square miles) that receives significant
acidic drainage from a 3,000 acre
underground mine complex. The COE drafted a Project Study Plan for review and comment by
the WVDEP and WVDNR. Negotiations for a Federal Cost Shared Agreement is the next step
toward implementing a successive alkalinity-producing system.
4. Abram Creek, North Branch of the Potomac River, Grant County, West Virginia. Grafton
Coal Company received a state contract to reclaim a 32-acre area containing the residue of an
abandoned coal loadout facility, refuse piles, deep mine portals, seeps and uncontrolled surface
runoff of AMD. After installing a modified mine seal and backfilling the collapsed portal, a
complex passive treatment system was installed to treat the surface drainage. Two anoxic
limestone drains, two aerobic teatment ponds and two anaerobic wetlands were constructed. The
surface areas were limed prior to planting.
5. T and T site, Preston County, West Virginia. Three underground mines feed an acidic
discharge of 704 gpm from an old portal. The discharge contains 261 mg/1 of iron, and has an
acid load of 3400 tons per year. The limited working area to treat this problem requires special
efforts. The WVDEP uses anhydrous ammonia to quickly raise the pH. The floes are captured
in settling ponds. The slurry is pumped out and hauled four miles to an approved receiving site.
Restocking the Middle Fork
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Partnership Groups Include:
American Electric Power
Anker Energy Corp
Canaan Valley Institute
Cheat Lake Environment and Recreation Association, Inc. (C.L.E. A.R.)
Cheat River Watershed Association
Cyprus Amax Coal Co.
Downstream Alliance
East Bank High School and Jr. High School
Friends of the Cheat
Lower Paint Creek Association
Mid-Atlantic Highland Coordinating Council
Morgantown Energy Associates
National Biological Survey
National Mine Lands Reclamation Center
National Park Service
Office of Surface Mining
Paint Creek Public Services
Preston County Commission
Preston County Delegates
Southern Appalachian Labor School
Trout Unlimited
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Bureau of Mines
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey
US Natural Resources Conservation Service
West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection
West Virginia Department of Highways
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
West Virginia legislature
West Virginia Parkway Economic Development and Tourist Authority
West Virginia Rivers Coalition
West Virginia Turnpike Authority
West Virginia University
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Vision of the Future
As the second year of this program concludes, we pause to reflect on our accomplishments,
remembering that their success is due, in large measure, to the cooperative spirit among
agencies, groups and individuals. This, in turn, presents us with a strong incentive to forge
ahead and accomplish even more. Our environmental legacy is the gift we share with our
children.
In Future Years
The partners to the Statement of Mutual Intent are committed to its goals through
their collective efforts. Clean streams will become a reality. Many projects and initiatives have
been started and many new ones will be initiated.
Increase Efforts to Fund Remediation Projects
• Maximize potential of the AML fund for clean-stream uses.
• Encourage states to use AML funds for mine drainage cleanup through the flexibility given in
the OSM expanded definition of a Priority 2 project.
• Continue Federal agency efforts to provide more funding by streamlining the grant program
procedures.
• Assist watershed groups during the various grant application processes.
• Obtain increased industry support for SMISP.
• Continue to fund projects through the EPA's 319 & 104(b)(3) grants.
• Seek funding support to implement the IAFWA pilot projects. Provide technical assistance to
help resolve specific AMD problems.
Develop Partnerships
• Continue SMISP efforts by Federal and State agencies.
• Develop a networking of state, local, and federal groups together and other groups in each
state..
• Build grassroot support by raising consciousness of citizens on the magnitude of the AMD
problem.
• Identify ways to elicit public involvement in projects.
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• Initiate State-wide forums each year to bring grassroot groups together to share successes and
concerns.
• Coordinate with other entities and interest groups in a holistic approach to avoid duplication
and produce a synergistic effect.
Continue EPA and OSM Initiatives
• Continue information transfer activities such as the ACSI Clearinghouse and conducting
meetings/conferences. Provide more information electronically via the EPA and OSM bulletin
boards and listserver.
• Expand stream indicator coverage to all states with AMD problems.
• Continue development and use of Geographic Information Systems on the watershed and at
regional/national levels.
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Appendix
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THE STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT
*
SSSZ
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(3
r
Restoration and Protection of
Streams and Watersheds
Polluted by
Acid Mine Drainage
From Abandoned Coal Mines
Statement of Mutual Intent
Sponsored by the Office of Surface Mining's
Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative
and THE
Environmental Protection Agency's
Region III - Mine Drainage Program
February 9,1995
Washington, D.C.
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I. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT
The Office of Surface Mining, the Environmental Protection Agency - Region III, and
all other parties to this Statement of Mutual Intent share a concern with improving
and restoring water quality that has been polluted by mine drainage from abandoned
coal mines in the States of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. We
will increase the efforts, cooperation and partnership among us to restore-and protect
the streams and watersheds affected by mine drainage.
II. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
The parties agree to:
1. Cooperate as a clearinghouse to share and exchange data and
information as it relates to identifying mine drainage sites and
establishing abatement techniques to restore and improve water quality
within watersheds adversely affected by mine drainage.
2. Raise the level of awareness of government agencies, private
organizations, and the general public on the serious environmental
problems associated with mine drainage from abandoned coal mines.
3. Work with federal, state, and local government agencies, watershed
organizations, mining organizations, environmental groups and other
public and private organizations to target streams and watersheds which
have been degraded by mine drainage.
4. Work to increase the understanding and applications of the best
technology available for remediating and preventing mine drainage, and
to support the development of new technologies.
5. Support efforts to establish and implement an effective remining
program that reclaims abandoned coal mines.
6. Provide a forum for the purpose of transferring technologies and other
information about improving, restoring, and preventing further harm to
watersheds that have been degraded by mine drainage.
7. Develop shared information management systems to minimize overlap
in data collection and development, to save resources and maximize the
usefulness of data developed.
8. Prepare periodic reports describing the extent and severity of the mine
drainage problem and the current status of ongoing efforts by all parties
to this Statement of Mutual Intent to improve and restore degraded
watersheds.
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. This Statement of Mutual Intent does not alter, amend, or revise the
authority or rights of any of the parties to this statement.
2. This Statement of Mutual Intent does not reflect a particular policy
relating to the regulation of AMD, nor does it reflect an initiation or
implementation of AMD policy from individual parties to the Statement
as a group.
3. All activities referred to in this Statement of Mutual Intent shall be
carried out in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
4. Any party may withdraw from this Statement of Mutual Intent by
notifying the other parties in writing.
Robert J. Uram,director
Office of Surface Mining
U.S. Dept. of the Interior
Peter H. Kostmayer
Regional Administrai
U.S. EPA Region ll{
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ADDENDUM TO STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT
OCTOBER 1,1996
THE STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT CO-SPONSORED BY THE OFFICE OF
SURFACE MINING, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION III, DATED FEBRUARY 9,1995 IS HEREBY
AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT
The Office of Surface Mining, the Environmental Protection Agency - Region IE, and the
other parties to this Statement of Mutual Intent share a concern with improving and restoring
water quality that has been polluted by mine drainage from abandoned coal mines in the
States of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Virginia, West Virginia, and other States that may become a partner in this Statement of
Mutual Intent. We will increase the efforts, cooperation and partnership among us to restore
and protect the streams and watersheds affected by mine drainage.
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A COOPERATIVE STRATEGIC PLAN
FOR THE
STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT
SPONSORED BY THE OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING'S
APPALACHIAN CLEAN STREAMS INITIATIVE
AND THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S
REGION in - MINE DRAINAGE PROGRAM
FEBRUARY 9, 1995
WASHINGTON, D.C.
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PREFACE
The Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and the Environmental Protection Agency's Region HI
(EPA) have developed this strategic plan to implement the provisions of the Statement of Mutual
Intent. Specific tasks associated with each provision of the Statement of Mutual Intent are
identified and targeted for completion by the next AMD Summit (Summit II). Future strategic
plans will be developed at the end of this initial period that are multi-year and built upon the
successes of the initial effort.
OSM, under the Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative (ACSI), and EPA Region Hi's Mine
Drainage Program, have recognized, in part, that these two initiatives compliment and support
each other. It is further understood that States in EPA Regions IV and V are participating in the
ACSI, therefore, OSM and EPA will continue to work together to achieve the mutual goals and
objectives of this plan.
Although this document refers only to acid mine drainage (AMD), the initiative recognizes that
mine drainage includes additional sources of pollution from abandoned coal mines such as
excessive metal loading, sedimentation and other pollutants. As this initiative is implemented,
these other sources of pollution will be included.
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COOPERATE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE TO SHARE AND EXCHANGE DATA AND
INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO IDENTIFYING MINE DRAINAGE SITES AND
ESTABLISHING ABATEMENT TECHNIQUES TO RESTORE AND IMPROVE WATER
QUALITY WITHIN WATERSHEDS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY MINE DRAINAGE.
DEVELOP SHARED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO MINIMIZE
OVERLAP IN DATA COLLECTION AND DEVELOPMENT, TO SAVE RESOURCES
AND MAXIMIZE THE USEFULNESS OF DATA DEVELOPED.
GOAL: Establish a national clearinghouse and library for all data and information relating
to AMD.
GOAL: Establish an Internet address for the clearinghouse.
GOAL: Develop a joint EPA/OSM GIS that identifies AMD sites sources, and affected
watersheds.
RAISE THE LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, PRIVATE
ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE SERIOUS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MINE DRAINAGE FROM
ABANDONED COAL MINES.
GOAL: Develop an AMD Newsletter.
GOAL: Sponsor conferences and workshops.
GOAL: Develop a Citizens Guide to AMD and Reclamation that will provide a layman's
guide to evaluating AMD sites, identifying remediation options, and considering
potential funding sources.
GOAL: Assist the States in sponsoring forums for government and non-governrnent
organizations involved in AMD efforts within the State.
GOAL: Promote tours of AMD sites and reclamation projects.
WORK WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES,
WATERSHED ORGANIZATIONS, MINING ORGANIZATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL
GROUPS AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO TARGET
STREAMS AND WATERSHEDS WHICH HAVE BEEN DEGRADED BY MINE
DRAINAGE.
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GOAL: OSM will seek to increase funds available and EPA will continue to provide
funding and technical assistance for State directed clean-up projects and
strategies.
GOAL: Provide technical and financial assistance to the International Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA) projects in restoring aquatic resources.
GOAL: Compile an index of potential funding programs for AMD projects.
GOAL: Develop a directory of all government and non-government representatives for
AMD related programs, projects, and other activities.
PROVIDE A FORUM FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRANSFERRING TECHNOLOGIES AND
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT IMPROVING, RESTORING, AND PREVENTING
FURTHER HARM TO WATERSHEDS THAT HAVE BEEN DEGRADED BY MINE
DRAINAGE.
GOAL: OSM will coordinate a Technical Notes section for technology transfer within the
AMD newsletter.
GOAL: Place AMD related information on Electronic Bulletin Boards.
WORK TO INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATIONS OF THE BEST
TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE FOR REMEDIATING AND PREVENTING MINE
DRAINAGE, AND TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES.
GOAL: Support research efforts and demonstration projects that promote the science of
AMD reclamation.
SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE REMINING
PROGRAM THAT RECLAIMS ABANDONED COAL MINES.
GOAL: Develop a remining program that provides incentives for reclamation while
protecting environmental quality.
PREPARE PERIODIC REPORTS DESCRIBING THE EXTENT AND SEVERITY OF THE
MINE DRAINAGE PROBLEM AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF ONGOING EFFORTS
BY ALL PARTIES TO THIS STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT TO IMPROVE AND
RESTORE DEGRADED WATERSHEDS.
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Produce an annual report that relies on measurable environmental and
programmatic indicators, accountability measures, and performance with this
Statement of Intent.
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LIST OF STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTENT (SMI) SIGNATORIES/SUPPORTERS
as of 3/26/97
Federal
Tennessee Valley Authority
US Environmental Protection Agency
USDA - Natural Resource Conservation Service
US Army Corps of Engineers
US- Government Services Administration
USDI - Asst. Sec for Land and Mineral Management
USDI Bureau of Land Management
USDI - Bureau of Mines
USDI - Fish and Wildlife Service
USDI - National Biological Service
USDI - Office of the Secretary
USDI - Office of Surface Mining
Alabama
Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
Alabama Environmental Council
Alabama State River Coalition (now known as Alabama Rivers Alliance)
Alabama Water Watch
Cahaba River Society
Five Mile Action Committee, Inc.
Friends of the Locust Fork River
Friends of the Mulberry Fork River
Smith Lake Environmental Preservation Committee
Kentucky
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Kentucky Department for Surface Mining
Kentucky Division of Waters
Maryland
Maryland Department of Environmental Resources
Ohio
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Department of Environmental Resources
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Pennsylvania
Anthracite Region, Schuylkill River Watershed Association
Blacklick Creek Watershed Association
Columbia County Conservation District
Creek Greenway Inc.
Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Friends of the Nescopeck Creek
Lackawanna River Corridor Association
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Schuylkill County Conservation District
Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance
Southern Alleghenies Conservancy
Southern Alleghenies RC&D
Stoney Creek Connemaugh River Improvement Project
Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Tennessee
Friends of the North Chickamauga
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
West Virginia
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
National
Citizens Coal Council
Heinz Endowments
International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
National Mine Land Reclamation Center
Trout Unlimited
Additional Individual/organizations expressing committment to the principles of the
Statement of Mutual Intent (SMI)
Congressman Frank Mascara, 20th. District, Pennsylvania
Congressman John P. Murtha, 12th District, Pennsylvania
Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission
Pennsylvania Organizations of Watersheds and Rivers
Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation
Sierra Club (Pa chapter)
The Connemaugh Valley Conservancy (PA)
The Loyalhanna Abandoned Mine Drainage Coalition
The Loyalhanna Creek Watershed Association (PA)
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