Section 319
NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAM SUCCESS STORY
Mitigating Acid Mine Drainage Improves pH Levels in Aaron Run
Waterbody Improved Wa'erflowi"9 throu,9Ahr^fnd°nedlc™1, m'nes c
-------
feet of eroding stream bank. In 2012 the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources' Fisheries Service
restocked Aaron Run with native brook trout.
Results
Water quality data collected from 2011 through
2013 in Aaron Run, after completion of the AMD
mitigation projects, demonstrated that the water
quality standard for pH (a minimum of 6.5) is being
met and that the TMDL requirements for pH are
being satisfied (Figure 3). On the basis of these
data, MDE has proposed removing Aaron Run from
the state's list of impaired waters for pH impairment
in 2014. Aaron Run fully supports its aquatic life and
wildlife designated use.
In addition, in-stream conditions had improved
enough by August 2012 to allowthe Fisheries
Service to reintroduce native coldwater stream
fish species, including brook trout, blacknose
dace, longnose dace, fantailed darters, and Blue
Ridge sculpins, into Aaron Run. In October 2013
the Fisheries Service assessed the stream's brook
trout population and found adults and several
smaller individuals. An additional year or more
of assessment will be needed to verify whether
a naturally reproducing brook trout population
resides in Aaron Run.
Partners and Funding
MDE's Abandoned Mine Land Division conducted
the project. In addition, MDE contracted with the
GarrettSoil Conservation District to provide technical
and management oversight services for the con-
struction phase of the project. Funding from CWA
section 319 in three consecutive years (fiscal years
2005-2007) aided in planning, design, and construc-
tion from late 2005 through late 2011. The total
project cost was about $1.01 million, including about
$812,000 reimbursed by the CWA section 319 grant.
Other project funding was provided by the U.S.
Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (about $124,000
in Title IV grant funds) and by the Eastern Brook
Trout Joint Venture (about $75,000). The Fisheries
Service provided fisheries management and related
Figure 2. The Owens South AMD mitigation site includes
an oxidizing pond (foreground) and successive alkalinity-
producing system cells (background).
Aaron's Run - Station AA-1 (Closed pH)
Pre-lmplementation (2006) vs Post-Implementation (2011,2012,&2013)
Ik 1
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Month
I Pre-lmplementation(2006) • Post-Implementation (2012) — Lower pH Criteria (6.5)
I Post-Implementation (2011) • Post-Implementation (2013) — Upper pH Criteria (8.5)
Figure 3. After restoration efforts, pH levels in Aaron
Run increased; they now meet water quality standards.
stream assessment services at no cost. MDE's Field
Services Division provided some of the pre- and
post-construction stream monitoring through a
separate ongoing CWA section 319-funded nonpoint
source monitoring and analysis project. Volunteers
from the nonprofit Savage River Watershed
Association assisted with water quality monitoring
along Aaron Run.
U-J
Q
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Washington, DC
EPA841-F-14-001UU
August 2014
For additional information contact:
Connie Loucks
Maryland Department of the Environment,
Abandoned Mine Land Division
301-689-1461 • connie.loucks@maryland.gov
Ken Shanks
Maryland Department of the Environment,
Watershed Protection and Restoration Program
410-537-4216 • kenneth.shanks@maryland.gov
------- |