Background:

The orange of our water can be collected and used as pigment for a variety of manufactured products. Streams that have not supported aquatic life for decades are finally home for mayflies. Municipalities have access to area maps, including the current mine scars and reclamation, to aid their decisions. Community projects celebrating local history and raising watershed awareness increasingly lead more communities to follow. Schools are provided with hands-on field trips that build an environmental consciousness through place-based education. All of these are current projects facilitated by the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR).

Historic floods, as recent as the Agnes Flood of 1972, devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living within the floodplain of the Susquehanna River. Underground anthracite mining, the fuel of our economy, ceased operation following the deluge, which permanently penetrated the vast, interconnecting tunnels. Most mining companies left the area, as well as all of the environmental issues connected to mines.

Formed in 1995 by concerned Conservation Districts, EPCAMR represents a non-profit team of watershed organizations. These include reclamation partners, co-generation plants, the active anthracite mining industry, regional non-profit organizations, 16 county Conservation Districts, and other organizations.

Goals and Accomplishments:

Coordinating efforts of local communities, governments, and watershed groups within the Wyoming Valley will be the mission for EPCAMRâs OSM/VISTA. The person holding this position will increase its capacity to facilitate reclamation. Outreach to the people and organizations within the watershed will be expanded, scientific research and application will be increased, new education efforts to raise awareness and to inspire action will be coordinated, and community revitalization through local, green economic development will begin. An evolving list of ideas and projects will allow the OSM/VISTA to build on previous successes of the organization.

Our first goal is watershed coalition Capacity building. Success for the OSM/VISTA will include working with local, low-income municipal governments, colleges, and local organizations to coordinate community projects. This capacity building effort will be highlighted in several proposed projects surrounding the Avondale Mining Disaster. Community meetings, presentations, and oral history interviews with residents will be both attended and conducted. Related grant applications may be facilitated or completed by the OSM/VISTA as well as press releases, newsletters, brochures and fact sheets.

Our second goal is watershed research and project development and implementation. There will be many monitoring and development projects for the OSM/VISTA to implement, including completion of stream monitoring, stormwater management, and combined sewage overflow assessments. The OSM/VISTA will compile watershed information and apply this to production of maps with GIS software. Development of AMD treatment systems and AML reclamation projects will follow.

Our third goal is watershed education and outreach. Education will be addressed by the OSM/VISTA through developing an exhibit for EPCAMR, conducting AMD tours and tie-dying events with local elementary classes, assisting with GIS outreach to municipal officials, and teacher training workshops. Photo-inventory of the natural, historical, and cultural resources found within the Wyoming Valley will be gathered throughout the program. Various forms of community support will be facilitated with the promotion of recycling and attendance at watershed festivals.

Our fourth goal is community revitalization. Recruiting volunteers for streamside and wetland cleanups, dump site removal, and riparian buffer plantings will be the first step to revitalization. The OSM/VISTA will also coordinate between watershed groups and redevelopment interests for support of economic development, tourism, or other related projects. This will begin with identifying potential markets and industries for EPCAMRâs Iron Oxide Resource Recovery efforts. Sample products will be created to showcase these ideas to potential supporters.

Partners and Contributors:

• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
• Anthracite Living History Group
• Bowman's Creek Watershed Association
• Country Ski & Sports
• Diamond Manufacturing Company
• Earth Conservancy
• Endless Mountain Outfitters
• Environmental Protection Agency, Region III
• Exeter Borough, Hicks Creek Watershed Association
• Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry
• GreenProducts of Romeoville, IL.
• Kings College
• Lackawanna River Corridor Association
• Luzerne County Community College
• Luzerne Conservation District
• Marx Sheet Metal and Mechanical, Inc.
• Nanticoke Conservation Club
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• North Branch Land Trust
• Office of Surface Mining
• Plymouth Historical Society
• Plymouth Township Board of Supervisors
• Plymouth Township Planning Commission
• Pennsylvania Department for Environmental Protection
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Northeast Office
• Pennsylvania League of Women Voters
• Pennsylvania Power and Light
• Pennsylvania Resources Council
• Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension
• Pocono Northeast Resources and Conservation Development Council
• RiverFront Parks Committee
• Saint Davidâs Society
• Susquehanna River Basin Commission
• Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical School
• Wilkes University
• Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority
• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
• Anthracite Living History Group
• Bowman's Creek Watershed Association
• Country Ski & Sports
• Diamond Manufacturing Company
• Earth Conservancy
• Endless Mountain Outfitters
• Environmental Protection Agency, Region III
• Exeter Borough, Hicks Creek Watershed Association
• Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry
• GreenProducts of Romeoville, IL.
• Kings College
• Lackawanna River Corridor Association
• Luzerne County Community College
• Luzerne Conservation District
• Marx Sheet Metal and Mechanical, Inc.
• Nanticoke Conservation Club
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• North Branch Land Trust
• Office of Surface Mining
• Plymouth Historical Society
• Plymouth Township Board of Supervisors
• Plymouth Township Planning Commission
• Pennsylvania Department for Environmental Protection
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
• Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Northeast Office
• Pennsylvania League of Women Voters
• Pennsylvania Power and Light
• Pennsylvania Resources Council
• Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension
• Pocono Northeast Resources and Conservation Development Council
• RiverFront Parks Committee
• Saint Davidâs Society
• Susquehanna River Basin Commission
• Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical School
• Wilkes University
• Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority