Abandoned Mine Posts

by Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator

The County Conservation District Watershed Specialists have been a vital force in Pennsylvania’s watershed movement for nearly 10 years, providing much needed environmental services in their counties and saving the state millions of dollars in project costs, in part by locating matching funding and in-kind contributions for environmental projects. Whether it’s fighting Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD), restoring streamside vegetation, or reducing water pollution caused by agricultural or urban runoff, our Watershed Specialists have been instrumental in many of Pennsylvania’s environmental successes. As part of a campaign to increase awareness of our county Watershed Specialists, WPCAMR Video Diaries pays a visit to the Westmoreland Conservation District to talk to Watershed Specialist, Rob Cronauer about his work and the future of the Watershed Specialist positions.  Note: If you are at a work computer and cannot view the video, check with your IT person to see if embedded videos are blocked on your computer. Click on the player below to watch.

by Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator

The Ohio River Watershed. It’s a place of beauty and a place of connections. With over three and a half million people residing in the Ohio River Watershed in Pennsylvania, our society, our history, and indeed our very existence, has become intimately entwined with the watershed. Like arteries reaching out to the furthest reaches of the body, the Ohio River Watershed continues to nuture and feed us…providing fuel for a nation.

The Ohio River is formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at Point State Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From Pittsburgh, it flows northwest through Allegheny and Beaver Counties, before making an abrupt turn to the south-southwest at the West Virginia-Ohio-Pennsylvania triple state line. Thomas Jefferson once wrote about the river, “The Ohio is the most beautiful river on earth. Its current gentle, waters clear, and bosom smooth and unbroken by rocks and rapids…” But there’s more to the story than just a single body of water. It’s about the people and places that make up the watershed, our connections to it, and the efforts to restore it to a place of grandeur. It’s about celebrating our past and our future. It’s about the watershed.

On October 1st, you will have an opportunity to celebrate the grandeur, the beauty, and the importance of the Ohio River Watershed and the successes of those whose tireless efforts continue to bring life back to the rivers at The 2009 Port of Pittsburgh - Ohio River Watershed Celebration.

The Port of Pittsburgh - Ohio River Watershed Celebration’s annual cruise will cast off Thursday, October 1st from the Gateway Clipper docks at Station Square in downtown Pittsburgh. This year, the cruise will take place on the Monongahela River and with its theme, “The Ohio River Watershed - Fuel for a Nation” will focus on topics relating to energy efficiency and state-of-the-art innovations.

The cruise provides a forum for government, academia, and grassroots groups to discuss watershed priorities and water quality issues while offering cruise-goers a chance to learn more about the important role that our waterways continue to play in our daily lives. It’s an opportunity for guests to learn about river history, aquatic life, energy leadership, river recovery, river resources and improvements in the Ohio River Watershed. For anyone involved in watershed restoration or just curious about the watershed and watershed groups, this is a “must attend” event.

As was the case last year, two cruises will occur simultaneously, one for children on the Gateway Clipper’s Empress labeled, “The Imagination Cruise” and one for adults aboard the Majestic named, “The Networker Cruise”. Due to overwhelming popularity among school children, the “Imagination Cruise” is full. However, there is still room on the adults-only “Networker Cruise”. The cruise is free, however each passenger must register. You can register for the “Networker Cruise” at: http://www.streamrestorationinc.org/rsvp/

by Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator

The County Conservation District Watershed Specialists have been a vital force in Pennsylvania’s watershed movement for nearly 10 years, providing much needed environmental services in their counties and saving the state millions of dollars in project costs, in part by locating matching funding and in-kind contributions for environmental projects. Whether it’s fighting Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD), restoring streamside vegetation, or reducing water pollution caused by agricultural or urban runoff, our Watershed Specialists have been instrumental in many of Pennsylvania’s environmental successes. Perhaps one of the most important roles they fulfill is giving watershed groups the tools and support to become more effective environmental ambassadors in their community… local folks tackling local environmental problems with local solutions. How great is that?

But there’s a fly in the proverbial ointment. A large portion of the Watershed Specialist program funding comes directly from Growing Greener, the sweeping environmental legislation originally enacted in 1999. Funding for several perennial Growing Greener programs, including the Watershed Specialist positions, has been mandated only through 2010, when Growing Greener is slated to end. The future of the Watershed Specialist program is in jeopardy.

Speaking plainly, if action isn’t taken in Harrisburg, there will be NO further Watershed Specialist action. After all of the environmental successes over the past 10 years and after all of the hard work, we don’t think that program should end. You probably don’t either. The Pennsylvania General Assembly (our state senators and representatives) need to hear that the County Watershed Specialist program is important and effective and deserves dedicated funding.

You can help. There is no one better than you to let your local legislators know what you think. Call them, write them, email them, or yes, personally visit them. Tell them how important the environment is to you. Let them know we NEED our County Watershed Specialists to continue Pennsylvania’s environmental success! Let them know NOW!

There are several ways to communicate with your legislators directly or through their aides. Some of these methods carry more weight than others.

• Face-to-Face meeting: A face-to-face meeting is the best way to communicate your views. Many legislators are impressed when you take the time to visit them (or their aides) personally to share your views. Set up an appointment at their local office to discuss your views.
• Writing a letter: Taking the time to craft your own letter is a great way of getting your legislator’s attention to matters that are important to you. Printing and signing a form letter also communicates your opinions however, form letters are increasingly being seen as “Astroturf” instead of “Grassroots”. Often, legislators are impressed when they receive just a handful of handwritten letters or emails on one topic because most people don’t take the time to write their legislators.
• Phone call: While not always as effective as a letter, expressing your opinions to either your legislator or their aide via phone call is still a good way of getting your opinions heard.

To find your legislator, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/ and enter your zipcode. Follow the link to your legislator’s webpage to find contact information.

Here are some talking points that may help you craft your own letter.

The County Watershed Specialists have been instrumental in the improvement of Pennsylvania’s environment by:

• Securing millions of dollars of matching funds and in-kind contributions for Growing Greener projects thereby increasing Growing Greener’s effectiveness by stretching our state dollars even further.
• Ensuring project success by serving as project managers.
• Acting as liaisons between watershed groups and various state agencies, improving communication and understanding between state government and its citizens.
• Educating citizens about the value of a healthy environment and ways to improve water quality.
• Working with citizens and municipalities to find local solutions for local environmental problems.

As most of our readership knows, our Watershed Specialists are an asset to Pennsylvania. In a 2006 Press Release, Governor Rendell commented about the value of the Watershed Specialists:

“Local efforts are absolutely essential to the Growing Greener partnership,” Governor Rendell said. “Watershed Specialists are an invaluable connection to restoring watersheds and promoting environmental protection at the local level - helping us achieve continued success in cleaning up the environment and revitalizing our local communities.”

We understand that the DEP is generally supportive of the Watershed Specialist program. However, it certainly couldn’t hurt to let DEP Secretary John Hanger know that you are behind them.

Secretary John Hanger
PA Dept. of Environmental Protection
Rachel Carson State Office Building
400 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

If we are to continue restoring Pennsylvania’s watersheds and promoting environmental protection at the local level, we need to keep our Watershed Specialists. Please consider writing your legislators and Secretary Hanger to tell them how important our Watershed Specialists are and that we need to find a way to keep that program funded.

 by Bruce Golden, Regional Coordinator

There are times when simple actions we take now may be especially consequential for the future. For those of us involved in mining reclamation activities (a majority of this readership), I believe this is one of those times.  The answer to “Who will become the federal Office of Surface Mining’s (OSM’s) next director?”  will be very consequential at the national and state levels during the Obama administration.  You have an opportunity to support an eminently qualified and suited individual for that position in Joseph G. Pizarchik, currently the director of Pennsylvania DEP’s Bureau of Mining and Reclamation.   I’ll save for later how best to support his candidacy.  First, some background.

Pennsylvania DEP’s Joe Pizarchik is President Obama’s choice (nominee) for the new Director of OSM.  As it currently stands, Joe is part way through the confirmation process, having recently testified before the U.S. Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee.  (You can watch the video of his hearing by clicking here. Note: Advance the program slider to about 16 minutes to avoid a long viewing of  the opening screen!)   When  the Senate returns from summer recess after Labor Day, the Senate ENR Committee  will vote on forwarding Joe’s candidacy to the entire Senate.  If it reaches the Senate floor, a simple majority vote will decide the fate of his nomination.  An affirmative Senate vote means Joe Pizarchik would be sworn in as OSM’s new Director.

My first hand experience with Joe have been nothing but positive.  I believe him to be fair and open-minded with everyone (which includes the environmental community and coal operators).  He makes himself easily available and goes out of his way to provide information.  Joe is smart and well spoken, although you can sometimes tell he’s an attorney :-).  (I won’t hold that against him.)    With his years of experience, Joe knows the issues and the law regarding mining and reclamation.  Joe has the right stuff to make an outstanding, effective OSM director for the entire nation.  I don’t expect PA to receive any favored treatment… but am confident Joe will act as he does in his current position at DEP: fairly, thoughtfully, consistently and within the boundaries of the law.

Pennsylvania watershed groups and conservation districts know of and have benefited from Joe’s work and experience in Harrisburg.  Here are examples:

• Being able to use co-gen ash as a beneficial material in mining reclamation projects for both land reclamation and acid mine drainage (AMD) remediation projects.  (See WPCAMR brochure “Burning Waste Coal in CFB Power Plants“)
• Enabling the coal industry to do remining as a no-cost-to-taxpayers way of reclaiming mine-scarred lands and eliminating or improving AMD discharges.  (See WPCAMR brochure on “Remining“)
• Co-authoring the Pennsylvania’s Good Samaritan Act, which gives land owners and non-profit groups participating in reclamation projects legal protection statewide.

Joe was instrumental and a driving force for each of these.  Behind each are laws, regulations, and policies that have enabled many environmental successes in reclaiming abandoned mine sites and improving streams degraded by AMD.  Pennsylvania has been a leader and innovator in meeting our nation’s energy challenges while addressing environmental impacts.  The pragmatic approach of industry, government and environmental groups working together and cooperatively has proven to be very effective for enabling  Pennsylvania’s watershed movement to make great environmental strides over the past decade.  Joe is one of those behind-the-scenes, unsung heroes that made that possible.

An important part of the Senate confirmation process is the ability for citizens to speak their minds.  Since his nomination, Joe has drawn considerable ire from those opposed to the use of ANY coal ash for just about ANY purpose.  Joe’s role in the implementation of Pennsylvania’s beneficial ash placement program appears to be the lightning rod that’s attracted such a fervent opposition as expressed in several internet blogs and newspaper articles.  (See below for links.)  Based on supposition and misinformation, Joe’s detractors have, in my opinion, inappropriately and unfairly drawn a host of false conclusions on the policies he supports and his own motivations.  An inference that the environmental community is united in opposing Joe and Pennsylvania’s underlying policies couldn’t be further from the truth.   I certainly don’t challenge anyone’s right to their opinions or the right to express them, but I do challenge the basis on which they are drawn.  Unfortunately, the suppositions raised in a concerted campaign to the Senate ENR Committee appear to have gained some traction, at least enough to have influenced questioning at Joe’s confirmation hearing.

Joe’s supporters also have the right to express themselves.  The current contentious atmosphere makes that particularly important.  Politicians do pay attention to issues raised by the public.   Those decision makers would benefit from hearing another view.

Here’s how you can help in supporting Joe’s nomination.

• Using your own words, write a letter on your organization’s letterhead supporting Joe Pizarchik’s nomination as OSM’s new director.  It doesn’t have to be long or eloquent, but it should be sincere and say why you support him.  Letters having stock verbiage are quickly recognized and quickly discounted.  (These are referred to as Astroturf, as opposed to Grassroots.)  Individually written letters simply count more.
• Your letter should be addressed to:
  Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chairman
  Energy and Natural Resources Committee Office
  304 Dirksen Senate Building
  Washington, DC 20510and  cc: Sen. Arlen Specter, Sen. Robert Casey
• Scan your letter to PDF format  (suggested file name: “OSM Pizarchik Support [Your Last Name And First Initial])”,
  then email it as an attachment to  sam_fowler@energy.senate.gov .  I suggest the subject line of the email be “OSM Pizarchik Support”.  I would appreciate also being cc’d on the email at bruce@wpcamr.org.
• Only if you are unable to convert your letter to PDF format, a backup alternative is to fax your letter to the Senate ENR Committee at (202) 224-9026.
• FAX your letter individually to
  Senator Arlen Specter  at  (202) 228-1229
  and Senator Robert Casey  at  (202) 228-0604
• Because of security measures in Congress, sending anything other than email or fax  correspondence will be too slow.
  Since the Senate ENR Committee will likely deliberate in early September, getting your electronically sent letter in their hands as soon as possible is important.

We will keep you apprised of developments as they happen.   I personally appreciate and thank you for any support that you extend to Joe in being confirmed as OSM’s next Director.

Links

Good Samaritan Act  Pennsylvania DEP Fact Sheet
Coal Ash Beneficial Use Pennsylvania DEP BMR page with additional links
Burning Waste Coal in CFB Power Plants brochure by WPCAMR
Coal Fly Ash Report Pennsylvania Joint Legislative Conservation Committee
Beneficial Use of Coal Ash Pennsylvania Regulations currently under revision
Pennsylvania’s Remining Incentives Pennsylvania DEP Fact Sheet
Remining  brochure by WPCAMR

Opposition to Joe Pizarchik’s nomination

Citizens oppose Obama’s latest favorite for OSM(RE)  Coal Tattoo blog
Groups against federal mining nominee by Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Enviro Groups Pan Obama’s Mining Pick    by Justin Rood, ABC News blog
Let Them Eat Coal Ash: OSM Nominee Pizarchik Must Be Stopped Now, Jeff Biggers, Huffington Post blog