1

To be determined

Hanover Township and South Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County

Solomon's Creek is a 19.5 km-long watercourse that drains much of the central Wyoming Valley. The creek passes through a highly urbanized area, and much of the flow is contained within concrete channels. In the last three kilometers before reaching the Susquehanna, Solomon's Creek receives mine drainage from two large outfalls. The first outfall is from the South Wilkes-Barre boreholes, which drain the Southeast Lower Complex mine pool. The second outfall is from the Buttonwood Tunnel, which drains the Northwest Complex mine pool. Each outfall contributes an average of 5000 - 9000 GPM of mine water that flows directly to the Susquehanna River. Correcting the problem requires (1) an assessment of flow and iron loading, (2) a plan to either treat the water flowing from each outfall, and / or reduce the flow by upstream interception, (3) implementation of the plan, creating a more natural stream ecosystem environment. A successful project requires manpower, weirs or in-stream flow measuring devices, equipment for assessing water quality (especially iron, pH, conductivity, BOD, dissolved oxygen, redox), earth moving equipment, material for grouting stream channels, equipment for assessing biological diversity in streams, and GIS / GPS support.

Office of Surface Mining, Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, PA Bureau of Abandoned Mines

Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 831-4758

1

$5 million

Informal commitment from USACE for $10,000 for initial study

Hanover Township and Nanticoke, Luzerne County

Nanticoke Creek is a 15.9 km long watercourse complex that drains much of the south-central Wyoming Valley. The creek originates with three separate headwater streams: Nanticoke Creek main stem, Leuder's Creek, and Espy Run. However, as each creek enters the Wyoming Valley, water is lost to the Truesdale mine pool. As a result, flow decreases to virtually zero. The Truesdale Mine pool drains to the Askam Borehole, which leads to the Dundee Outfall. Flow from that outfall, estimated to average 7000 GPM, is directed to Nanticoke Creek. As a result, the creek corridor downstream of the outfall is profoundly impacted by mine drainage. An effort has begun to treat the problem in the watershed by the construction of two artificial wetlands. A more comprehensive correction is needed, however. That action requires: (1) a better assessment of flow and iron loading within each creek, (2) a plan to expand the existing treatment facilities, (3) a plan to reduce the flow by upstream interception, (4) implementation of the plan by stream restoration techniques to create a more natural stream ecosystem environment. A successful project requires manpower, weirs or in-stream flow measuring devices, equipment for assessing water quality (especially iron, pH, conductivity, BOD, dissolved oxygen, redox), earth moving equipment, material for grouting stream channels, equipment for assessing biological diversity in streams, GIS / GPS support.

Office of Surface Mining, Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, PA Bureau of Abandoned Mines, Eastern Pa. Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Earth Conservancy

Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 831-4758; and Michael Dziak, Executive Director, Earth Conservancy; Telephone (570) 823-3445

1

$750,000 for assessment

Shamokin Creek Watershed, Northumberland County

The Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance will identify acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned coal mines which is discharging into the Shamokin Creek Watershed. The Alliance will then take steps to involve the land owner so as to eliminate the drainage or improve the quality of the water that is flowing at each specific drainage site. This will be accomplished by treating the mine drainage through either active or passive methods. Educational materials and informational brochures will be prepared and distributed throughout the watershed for the local school districts and social, civic and sportsman clubs. The Alliance will involve the general public, business community, local governments and mining operators in the overall process. It will ensure that the improvements then allow for recreational and business use of the areas adjacent to Shamokin Creek and its tributaries. As needed, the Alliance will acquire ownership of land in order to accomplish some of the water cleanup.

Office of Surface Mining, Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, PA Bureau of Abandoned Mines, Eastern Pa. Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Thomas J. Zamboni, President, Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance (SCRA); Telephone (570) 339-3846 or (570) 286-6513

1

$250,000

Newport Township and Nanticoke, Luzerne County

Newport Creek is a 18.6 km long watercourse complex that drains much of the southern Wyoming Valley. The creek consists of two main channels: Newport Creek North Branch and Newport Creek South Branch. The two branches meet west of Nanticoke, and the combined flow enters the Susquehanna north of Nanticoke. Flow within the South Branch is minimal due to infiltration into the West End mine pool. Flow within the North Branch is also restricted until after it is joined by a large input from the old Newport Dump. Flow from that dump is likely to average 7000-12,000 GPM. From there, water flows northeasterly, but before reaching the Susquehanna, it is joined by additional minewater flowing from the Susquehanna Number 7 outfall. A project to assess the surface hydrology and water quality within the Newport Creek watershed is currently being initiated by the USGS, the Earth Conservancy, and Wilkes University. The results of that assessment should provide information as to how to best address the mine-drainage problem - specifically whether reduction of infiltration and/or treatment of mine effluent should be pursued. Once that determination is made, a vigorous program of stream restoration and mine drainage treatment should be initiated.

Office of Surface Mining, Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, PA Bureau of Abandoned Mines, Eastern Pa. Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Earth Conservancy

Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 831-4758; and Michael Dziak, Executive Director, Earth Conservancy; Telephone (570)823-3445

1

$500,000

Lackawanna River Watershed

Many tributaries to the Lackawanna have been disturbed by underground and surface mining. Stream morphology has been compromised resulting in severe problems in flooding, erosion and sedimentation. The past practice of governmental response has been the development of expensive concrete U-channel sluice ways and engineered rip-rap bank protection. These expensive techniques have only solved some of the problems and have resulted in a loss of natural riparian corridors. A tributary stream channel program is proposed to manage implementation by state, local and private agencies to utilize bio-engineering and natural stream morphology techniques to restore degraded tributary streams and riparian corridors. The following streams are likely subjects for this program based on existing state and municipal interest

Grassey Island Creek, Jessup; Eddy Creek, Throop and Olyphant; Powderly Creek, Carbondale Township; Storrs Creek and Scotts Creek, Dickson City; Leggetts Creek, Scranton; Keyser Creek, Scranton and Taylor; Greenwood Creek, Moosic; and St. Johns Creek, Old Forge

Municipalities, Lackawanna County Redevelopment Authority, PA BAMR and Department of General Services, property owners.

Bernard McGurl, Executive Director, Lackawanna River Corridor Association; Telephone (570) 347-6311; and Harry Lindsay, Director of Planning, Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners; Telephone (570) 963-6826

1

$10,000,000

$10,000,000 from Superfund

Pittston, Luzerne County

In 1985, the EPA averred that it had completed cleanup work on the Butler Mine Tunnel Superfund site in Pittston. But then, in the aftermath of Hurricane Gloria, the borehole spewed thousands of gallons of toxins, including cancer-causing chemicals, into the Susquehanna. Today, the EPA no longer states that it has finished the Butler Mine Tunnel cleanup. Instead, it merely monitors the situation and takes steps to minimize and contain releases when they occur. The Northeastern Pennsylvania community finds these actions inadequate. Through the American Heritage Rivers Initiative, the EPA should work to identify long-term solutions to this problem, such as the construction of a pipeline that would carry the deleterious material from the Superfund site to the WVSA for treatment

Office of Surface Mining, Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, PA Bureau of Abandoned Mines, Eastern Pa. Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Rob Krehaly, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority; Telephone (570) 822-7244; Robert Hughes, Eastern Pa. Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation; Telephone (570) 628-3377

2

To be determined, also seeking technical expertise in design and construction of AMD treatment systems.

$62,500

Columbia, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties

The Catawissa Creek originates in Luzerne County and then flows into both Schuylkill and Columbia Counties before entering the Susquehanna River near Catawissa, 36 miles downstream, covering a 152-square-mile watershed. It is interspersed with forest areas, small agricultural lands scattered throughout the valleys, and is contaminated by aluminum, low pH, and acidity problems. It has the potential to become one of PA's top trout streams, and possibly stimulate an economic tourist boost in the surrounding area. Five abandoned mine tunnels, abandoned strip mine operations, and the acid mine drainage that flows from them into the Catawissa Creek have completely killed the stream for the last 80 years. With the support of all of its major partners, many organizations would like to lay out the types of projects, treatment systems, support for the restoration of the creek, public relations needed, outreach education, commitment from other groups, and the estimated costs/benefits needed to accomplish the restoration of the Catawissa Creek watershed.

Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (Project Management and Administration); Schuylkill, Columbia, and Luzerne County Conservation Districts (Project support and Publicity); Catawissa Creek Restoration Association (Local support, monitoring, financial support, labor); Natural Resources and Conservation Service (Site Survey, Engineering and Design); US EPA Region III (Funding Potential); 131st Transportation Battalion of the Army National Guard (Hauling and Construction, Labor); Con-Lime Limestone Quarry (Limestone); Carmeuse Limestone Quarry (Limestone); Eagle Rock Community Association (Project Support); Double Diamond Development Corporation (Landowner consent); Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited (Project Support and Labor); Schuylkill County Environmental Coordinator (Funding Potential and Tax Map ID); Heavy Equipment Operators Union Apprentice Training Program

Robert Hughes, Regional Coordinator, Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation; Telephone (570) 628-3377

2

$750,000

Black Creek, Hazle, and Sugarloaf Townships, Luzerne County

Black Creek, a tributary of Nescopeck Creek in Luzerne County, is severely impacted by three moderate-sized mine drainage tunnel discharges and several culm bank seeps. This project would study and characterize the discharges and resulting treatment facilities, such as anoxic drains, SAP systems, diversion wells, or artificial wetlands.

Wildlands Conservancy, PA Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Service , Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Office of Surface Mining, US Environmental Protection Agency, Penn State, Wilkes University, and Bloomsburg University

Drew Magill, Friends of Nescopeck; Telephone (570) 384-4671; or Alan Gregory, Friends of the Nescopeck; Telephone (570) 788-1425

2

To be determined

Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County

Coal Brook is a 3.5 km watercourse in southeastern Wilkes-Barre. The Coal Brook channel has been severely impacted by past mining. In the upper and middle reaches of the creek, virtually all of the water is lost into the Southeast Complex mine pool where it reemerges at the South Wilkes-Barre Boreholes. Any water that makes its way downstream is blocked by large highwalls that further restricts flow. The lowest reaches of the creek disappears into a system of small-diameter stormwater conduits that pass through eastern Wilkes-Barre. The area surrounding the Coal Brook creek is under severe development pressure by the Arena Hub site and the Luzerne County Arena project. As a result, baseflow and stormwater flows will change dramatically, possibly creating a severe drainage problem in the downstream sections of the creek. Attempts to solve the problem have been limited to a piecemeal property-by-property plan that does not address the entire watershed. A comprehensive plan is needed to establish good baseflow conditions, reconstruct stream channels to prevent infiltration into the mine pool, detain stormwater events, and find a way to route water to Mill Creek, and thence the Susquehanna River.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, PA Bureau of Abandoned Mines, Office of Surface Mining, Luzerne County Engineer, Wilkes-Barre City Engineer

Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 831-4758

2

$300,000

Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed

The Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed suffers from widespread mine drainage problems. While much of the mine drainage results from localized seeps from culm banks and mine dumps, the biggest impact is from water flowing into and from the underground mine pools. Yet our knowledge of mine pool dynamics is poor because the subterranean flows have been poorly characterized. A GIS-based analysis of the hydrology of each of the sub-watersheds in the region is critically needed. Such an analysis would involve a 3-dimensional characterization of the mine pools, along with points of entry and exit from each pool. The degree of vertical stratification within each pool would also need to be assessed. The information provided by this hydrologic analysis would provide insight as to: (1) the best ways to prevent infiltration into the mine pools, and (2) the most advantageous locations in which fill material (e.g., fly ash) can be inserted into the mines to block the underground flow, thereby restricting the efflux of contaminated mine water from existing outfalls. Support needed: funding, GIS / GPS support, maps of underground mine voids, manpower to input data into the GIS, field personnel to locate sites of entry into the mine pool, individuals with expertise in large scale hydrological analyses and modeling.

PA Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Surface Mining, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, EPCAMR, Earth Conservancy, Oak Ridge National Labs

Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 831-4758; and Dale Bruns, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 408-4610

3

To be determined

Lackawanna County

This project is a partnership of PA BAMR and Lackawanna County to redevelop, grout and seal the channel of Lucky Run Creek in the county's McDade Park. Seepage from the creek adds to the mine pool flow at the Old Forge Bore Hole and also impacts the Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour, a major regional tourist site at McDade Park. The project will utilize state-of-the-art grouting and appropriate engineering of bank and channel modifications to help restore appropriate stream morphology. These techniques can serve as a model for the many miles of tributary streams that have been disturbed by mining in the Lackawanna watershed.

PA BAMR and Lackawanna County

Bernard McGurl, Executive Director, Lackawanna River Corridor Association; Telephone (570) 347-6311

1

$10,000,000

Wildlands Conservancy Study

Black Creek, Butler, Nescopeck, and Sugarloaf Townships, Luzerne County

Little Nescopeck Creek, a tributary of Nescopeck Creek in Luzerne County, receives an average of 50,000 gallons of acid mine drainage per minute from the Jeddo Mine Tunnel, the largest single source of AMD discharge in the anthracite region of eastern Pennsylvania.

The project seeks to:

- restore the physical and biological health of Little Nescopeck Creek and Nescopeck Creek below their confluence;

- establish management practices to prevent additional damage from human-caused impacts;

- preserve critical cultural and natural resource areas (natural areas) within the watershed; and

- attain the listing of Little Nescopeck Creek on the Pennsylvania Rivers Registry.

Wildlands Conservancy, state Department of Environmental Protection; U.S. Geological Survey; Susquehanna River Basin Commission; U.S. Office of Surface Mining; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Penn State, Wilkes and Bloomsburg universities.

Drew Magill, Friends of the Nescopeck; Telephone (570) 384-4671 (home); Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy; Telephone (610) 965-4397 (office); Alan Gregory, Friends of the Nescopeck; Telephone (570) 788-1425 (home)

3

$1,000,000

Wildlands Conservancy Study

Black Creek, Hazle, and Sugarloaf Townships, Luzerne County

Black Creek, a tributary of Nescopeck Creek in Luzerne County, is severely impacted by three moderately sized mine drainage tunnel discharges and several culm bank seeps. This project would study and characterize the discharges and resulting treatment facilities, such as anoxic drains, SAP systems, diversion wells, or artificial wetlands.

Wildlands Conservancy, state Department of Environmental Protection; U.S. Geological Survey; Susquehanna River Basin Commission; U.S. Office of Surface Mining; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Penn State, Wilkes and Bloomsburg universities

Drew Magill, Friends of the Nescopeck; Telephone (570) 384-4671 (home); Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy; Telephone (610) 965-4397 (office); and Alan Gregory, Friends of the Nescopeck; Telephone (570) 788-1425 (home)

3

To be determined

Pittston and Duryea Borough, Luzerne County

The confluence of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna rivers is located in the City of Pittston and Borough of Duryea, Luzerne County. The area contains an important railroad site (Coxton Yard), the Lower Lackawanna Sewage Treatment Plant, and approximately 1,000 acres of flood plain spotted with flooded topsoil pits. It borders adjacent upland areas marked by strip mines, sand and gravel quarries, and auto junk yards. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania proposed the construction of a mine drainage treatment plant near Coxton in 1966 to treat the Old Forge Bore Hole, the Duryea outfall, and the Butler Tunnel AMD sources. A new project in the context of the American Heritage Rivers Program proposes a multi-objective project for the development of an AMD treatment facility with a resource recovery plant and a wetland waterfowl habitat management area. This facility will utilize AMD wetland cells developed in the flooded topsoil pits. The other aspect of the confluence site multi-objective proposal would be the development of industrial commercial and residential areas on upland portions of the site.

PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, PA Game Commission, U.S. Economic Development Agency, HUD, PennVest, Private

Bernard McGurl, Executive Director, Lackawanna River Corridor Association; Telephone (570) 347-6311

2

$240,000

$10,000

Shamokin, Northumberland County

Using semi-annual samples at a minimum of 55 AMD discharges and 15 confluences of tributaries and Shamokin Creek over a period of five years, the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance will use the data to monitor AMD drainage and other factors that impact on the overall water quality of Shamokin Creek. The effort would include chemical analysis and flow and velocity data. The restoration of abandoned mine sites will eliminate safety hazards and will try to minimize surface water from entering. The Alliance will develop and maintain a Shamokin Creek Website with historical, educational, and technical information on the Shamokin Creek Watershed that will allow interested persons to easily obtain needed information on solutions and progress being made on abandoned mine land reclamation and acid mine water treatment. The website will also provide technical data on the properties of acid mine water on the environment. This plan seeks to reactivate the USGS Shamokin Creek gaging station near Shamokin and fund a part time employee to develop educational material for grade and high schools.

Thomas J. Zamboni, President, Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance; Telephone (570) 339-3846

2

$720,000

Shamokin and Sunbury, Northumberland County

The plan will develop a comprehensive and accurate informational list of the over fifty-five abandoned mine drainage sites within the Shamokin Creek Watershed. This data would then be used to develop a comprehensive watershed plan, to make contact with affected land owners, and to create a database on water quality and water quality improvements. The plan also calls for research on the possibilities of utilizing abandoned mine lands within the watershed for business or recreational purposes. The project covers the installation of a gaging station at the confluence of Shamokin Creek and the Susquehanna River at the City of Sunbury. Funds will be used to acquire land and to install a passive acid mine treatment project on discharges that flow into Dark Run and Quaker Run. Part of the project plans to shore-up streets and homes, to provide certain areas with proper drainage, to remove mounds of dirt and debris remaining along creek bank, and to apply pest weed control.

Thomas J. Zamboni, President, Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance; Telephone (570) 339-3846

1

$30,000,000

$30,000,000

Lackawanna County

The goal of this project is to address water quality impacts from acid mine drainage (AMD) and combined sewer overflows (CSO) into the Lackawanna River. The project is funded by a $30-million USEPA appropriation and is being administered by Lackawanna County. Several projects underway by local sewer authorities and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation are programmatically related to Watershed 2000. Engineering and design studies for a project identification phase are now underway including several early action projects at several CSO's and one or two smaller AMD's.

Office of Surface Mining, PA Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, US Environmental Protection Agency.

Harry Lindsay, Director of Planning, Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners; Telephone (570) 963-6826

New

To be determined.

Mill Creek - Luzerne County

Mill Creek's watercourse start's out from Watershed (WPA) Dams that parallel Jumpers Road in Luzerne County. The Creek's Length runs from Route 315 near Pocono Downs in Luzerne County through Plains Township to Wilkes-Barre(Miners-Mills) and then to the Susquehanna River. Acid Mine Runoff from the Pine Ridge area needs to be assessed. Sulfer levels in this Creek over the years has decreased due to natural Runoff. An entire sweep of the Creek is essential to remove embedded Sulfer deposits. Wilkes-Barre City has planned Dike projects in the Miners-Mills area of the Creek. A successful project requires manpower, equipment for assessing water quality (especially iron, pH, conductivity, BOD, dissolved oxygen, redox), earth moving equipment, material for grouting Creek channels, equipment for assessing biological diversity in streams. Our major goal of this project is to once again support the life in the Creek and the Susquehanna River.

Department of Environmental Protection, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers, Earth Conservancy.

Anthony F. Yanchuk, 8301 Bear Creek Blvd., White Haven,PA 18661; Telephone (570) 472-9704 - tyanchuk@psghs.edu