2005 Targeted Watersheds Grants: Huff Run Ohio WHY IS THIS WATERSHED SPECIAL? Located in eastern Ohio, the Huff Run watershed is small, at only 14.1 square miles, but its water quality problems loom large. Mining was a part of the local community from 1853 until the 1970s, but with the lack of regulatory oversight at that time, it has left a negative environmental legacy that continues even today. Approximately 30 percent of the land in the watershed has been impacted by mining operations and acid mine drainage (AMD). ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES The Targeted Watersheds Grant will focus on one site, Belden, with the following environmental challenges: • Highwalls and long trenches, which are left over from mining operations, are filled with acidic water. • Acid mine drainage, which is present in the streams, has caused the pH in Huff Run to drop to unhealthy levels, negatively impacting fisheries. A full 7.0 miles of the total 9.9 miles of Huff Run do not meet aquatic use attainment. • In addition to acidity, Huff Run is impacted by sedimentation and toxic metals, such as iron, aluminum and manganese. RESTORATION ACTIVITIES The Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership will use EPA's Targeted Watersheds Grant funds to improve the water quality of Huff Run and promote citizen awareness. As part of the Belden project, the Partnership will: • Reclaim areas of acidic ponds • Install open limestone channels to reduce acidity • Seal a high wall to prevent further leakage of acid mine drainage into Huff Run • Create a vertical flow wetland (successive alkalinity-producing system) to improve water quality • Promote citizen involvement, environmental stewardship, and youth education. A representative stream in the Huff Run Watershed, affected by acid mine drainage. Credit: Maureen Wise EPA840-F-07-001C www.epa.gov/twg ------- A STRONG PARTNERSHIP FOR CHANGE The Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership, a project of Rural Action brings together a broad base of support including: • Ohio Department of Natural Resources • Ohio Environmental Protection Agency • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation • U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining An Environmental Explorers Club (EEC) meeting where members made terrariums. Credit: Terri Sponaugle-Schrock «0' s EPA's Targeted Watersheds Grants EPA's Targeted Watersheds Grants program is a competitive grant program designed to encourage collaborative, community-driven approaches to meet clean water goals. For More Information Contact: Maureen E. Wise Huff Run Watershed Coordinator Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership, Inc. maureen@ruralaction.org (330)859-1050 www.huffrun.org Funding: $711,301 Part of the Belden project site that will be reclaimed with TWG funds. Credit: Cheryl Socotch 2005 Targeted Watersheds Grants - Huff Run ------- |