Eastern Coal Regional Roundtflhle: Hope and Hard Work Acid mine drainage seeps into streams, where the iron-rich contaminants form a solid known as "Yellow Boy" which coats the stream bed. Volunteers are ready to monitor water quality on the Cheat River. Kick-off Roundtable of ECRR constituents near Mullens, WV to develop training curriculum. Photo courtesy Bruce Go/den, Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. Targeted Watersheds Capacity Building Grant Hope and Hard Work is a collaboration of private and public partners, led by the non-profit Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable (ECRR). Founded in 2001, the Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable serves mine-scarred Appalachian watersheds through training, capacity building and providing a collective voice for underserved communities seeking to restore the well-being of their citizens and environment. Watershed Capacity Building Efforts Acid mine drainage (AMD) is Appalachia's primary water quality problem. AMD is a highly acidic liquid flowing from abandoned coal mines. This iron-laden liquid often turns the streams orange, coats streambeds and destroys aquatic habi- tat. AMD negatively affects the recreational and potable water potential of the streams. Further degrading water quality, large populations in Appalachia still do not have sewage treat- ment systems, so untreated wastewater is discharged through "straight pipes" directly into streams. The Hope and Hard Work project will provide training and support for at least 50 grassroots watershed groups in Appa- lachian Coal Country. Two three-day trainings will take place, one in northern Appalachia and one in southern Appalachia. Trainings and practicum will be offered to watershed stew- ards in the states of Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky and Alabama. Each train- ing will be divided into two tracks—water monitoring and fiscal sustainability. Participants will each develop and carry out a practicum to put their new skills and knowledge into prac- ------- West Virginia ntucky virgin! Watershed stewards from these states will participate in Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable trainings. tice. Practicums may include, for example, developing water monitoring teams, writing watershed plans, writing fundraising plans, applying for grants or determining Board of Director roles. Six to ten participants from the first year will be selected to help guide participants in the second year of training. Each participating organization will receive a membership to River Network, a national watershed support organization, to further their access to trainings and resources. Results from the practicum and lessons learned by the participating groups will be compiled into a State of the Region report. A Coal Country Watersheds Roundtable Sum- mit will follow the final training session and allow participating groups, as well as local land use and policy decision makers and stakeholders, to share information and pro- vide further discussion. For More Information: www.easterncoal.org Dvon Duncan, Executive Director Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable info@easterncoal.org EPA's Targeted Watersheds Gra program is a competetive grant program designed to encouragi collaborative, community-drive approaches to meet clean water go For more information about e selected watersheds, please vi http://www.epa.gov/twg 840-F-08-001R ------- |