Anthracite Heritage Museum Presents: The 3rd Anthracite Heritage Conference

May 6th, 2013 rhughes

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Conference Fees: $20.00 Advance Registration. Call 570-963-4845. $25.00 at the door registration.

Brochure for Conference 2013

 

8:30 a.m.  Registration and Refreshments

 

9:00 a.m. Welcome by Robert Savakinus, President, Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates; Chester Kulesa, Site Administrator Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces; Bode Morin, Eckley Miners Village.

 

9:15 a.m. Speaker – F. Charles Petrillo, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Topic: The Hard Coal Navy: Susquehanna River Coal

10:00 a.m.  Break

 

10:15 a.m.  Speaker – Richard G. Healey, University of Portsmouth, Great Britain.

Topic: Miners and Mining in Scranton during the Civil War: Preliminary Findings from the DL&W Payrolls Project

11:00 a.m.  Break

 

11:15 a.m.  Speaker Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director-Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR)

Topic: 3D Modeling and Mapping of the Northern Anthracite Coal Fields and the Underground Mine Pools beneath the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys

Noon to 1:15 p.m. Lunch

 

1:15 p.m. The Hometown boyz

Topic: A live music performance by band members Joe Sweeney, Mike Haduck, Ed Haduck, Jim Reap and Mike Lavelle.

1:45 p.m. Break.

 

2 p.m.  Speaker Darlene Miller-Lanning, University of Scranton, PA.

 Topic: The Art and History of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company.

2:45 p.m. Break

 

3:00 p.m. Speakers William A. Hastie, Sr., West Pittston, PA and Robert P. Wolensky, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, WI.

Topic: Anthracite Labor Wars in the Northern Anthracite Field: Labor against Management and Labor against Labor during the 1920s & 1930s

3:45 p.m.  Open Mic Announcements—Open to all present.

 

4:00 p.m.  Mingle, chat or visit the exhibitions and the Museum store.


5:00 p.m. Conference ends.  The Museum closes for the day.

EPCAMR Awarded $2K to Continue Collaborative Waterboxx Pilot Project – Phase II Research

April 18th, 2013 rhughes

EPCAMR is proud to announce its participation in the Collaborative Waterboxx Pilot Project, a partnership with the Appalachian Coal Country Team, the Western Hardrock Watershed Team, and Inquiring Systems, Inc. Through generous financial support provided by the Mental Insight Foundation, EPCAMR will plant and monitor 2 plots of trees using Groassis Waterboxxes over the next year. One plot of 20 additional native trees are anticipated to be planted at the site of the Huber Breaker Miner’s Memorial Park, a former abandoned mine lands brownfield location that fronts the historic Huber Coal Breaker, Ashley, PA, along 101 S. Main Street, which happens to also be directly adjacent to the EPCAMR Office. The Huber Breaker Park site already has 4o seedlings that are currently being monitored by EPCAMR’s Watershed Education Intern, Sarah-Jane Gerstman, a senior from Wilkes-University on a monthly basis. EPCAMR will receive $2000 for our continued research efforts on the planting plots at both locations.

Waterboxx19

 

The second plot 20 native seedlings that is planned is along a small tributary of the Solomon Creek, known by EPCAMR as Nockley’s tributary, based on their watershed assessment work completed on this impaired section of stream that feeds the main stem of Solomon Creek in Wilkes-Barre, PA. EPCAMR will be working with the local landowner, Frank Nockley, who’s brother Dave, owns Nockley’s Pharmacy, in Hanover Township, along S. Main Street to gain access to the site with his permission to improve the riparian corridor and habitat of the tributary, which is in need of stream restoration work. A small dedication ceremony is also going to be planned for the Nockley tributary location, in honor of Abe Coolbaugh, an avid hunter and fisherman, who grew up in the Wilkes-Barre Area. A small plaque in his name will be placed on one of the larger surrounding trees in the stream corridor thanks to a financial contribution from the South Wilkes-Barre Mini-Mohawks Football Program.  EPCAMR will be putting out a call for Tree Planters for this project! If interested, please let us know.

 

Now on its second year, the Waterboxx Project is a three year research effort to study the effectiveness and value of the Groassis Waterboxx in various terrains, mine lands, and climates found in the mountainous regions of the United States. The Waterboxx, an ‘intelligent water incubator,’ produces and captures water from the air through condensation and rain, increasing survival prospects for tree seedlings planted in harsh environments. Monitoring will occur at the initial planting and continue once every month for a total of twelve (12) months. Each monitoring instance by EPCAMR will be as near to thirty (30) days apart as is reasonable feasible.

 

EPCAMR’s Waterboxx Project has an educational component or activity to it.  The educational programs and tours that will be provided to local elementary schools in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District will educate students on native seedlings, stream restoration techniques, use of the Waterboxx technology, water conservation, and stream corridor restoration. These activities will allow EPCAMR to promote our goals/mission as well as clearly define the purpose of the project and its importance to the local community. More importantly, it will lay the foundation for future stewards of our environment.

 

 

For more information about volunteering, contact Robert E. Hughes, EPCAMR Executive Director at 570-371-3523 or rhughes@epcamr.org 

 

The OSM/VISTA Teams are coalitions of change-minded grassroots-level watershed improvement groups determined to repair the environmental degradation left from pre-regulatory mining while creating economic stability needed in rural communities. The OSM/VISTA Teams are a partnership between the Office of Surface Mining and AmeriCorps VISTA. The ACCT sponsors 32 OSM/VISTAs throughout 7 states in the Appalachian Region and is headquartered in Beckley, WV. The WHWT sponsors 27 OSM/VISTAs across Colorado and New Mexico and is headquartered in Durango, CO.

ACCTlogo150px

River Researchers Teen Camp Hosted by Trout Unlimited Seeking Youth

April 16th, 2013 rhughes
DEADLINE EXTENDED to May 1, 2013
EPCAMR, on behalf of our dear friends at Trout Unlimited, is putting the call out to any interested teens who are passionate about the environment and looking for an great outdoor experience in Central PA this Summer! 

Great news! There is still time to apply to an exciting new camp for students ages 14-17. On August 4-8, 2013, Trout Unlimited will be hosting the first ever River Researchers Teen Camp at Mahaffey Camp & Conference Center along the banks of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Clearfield County, Pa.

 

During the five-day camp, students will learn first-hand about coldwater conservation, environmental stewardship, and brook trout through a series of hands-on lessons. The camp will focus on abandoned mine drainage pollution, river restoration efforts, water sampling, aquatic insect collecting and identification, fisheries biology techniques, and environmental career and volunteer opportunities, along with fun activities to encourage team work, leadership, and community involvement. There will also be plenty of time for fly tying and fishing, a field trip, and a fish fry!

 

We are currently seeking students to take part in this exciting event. We are also seeking interested female adult team leaders who will help guide students through the week’s activities. Please spread the word about this opportunity and also consider being a team leader.

 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit the River Researchers Teen Camp website at:  www.wbsrc.org/teencamp/default.html or contact the Eastern Abandoned Mine Program at (570) 748-4901.

 

Thank you!

 

Kindest Regards,

Rachel and Rebecca

Marcellus Seminar for Teachers & Educational Professionals at Mansfield University

April 9th, 2013 rhughes
Mansfield U Logo

Mansfield U Logo

The Marcellus Seminar will be offered this Summer as a professional development opportunity for middle and high school educators and guidance counselors to explore impacts and issues of Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction. Educators will participate in learning sessions and field trips that will address drilling techniques, air and water quality issues associated with the development of shale gas, and prevention measures that are taken to limit or negate environmental impacts. Each participant will leave with a tool-kit of educational materials that can be used in their classroom or school when discussing the natural gas industry.

The seminar is being held at Mansfield University and has been developed by Dr. Jennifer Demchak.

It will run from July 15-17, 2013 for a cost of $130, which includes all learning sessions, supplies, field trips and meals.

Overnight accommodations for two evenings are available in Mansfield University’s suite-style Hickory Manor for an additional $70/person.

Advance registration with a $75.00 deposit is required.

Please visit the Marcellus Institute website at http://mansfield.edu/marcellus-institute/events or contact the institute at 570-662-4820 ormarcellus@mansfield.edu for more information.

ARIPPA AML RECLAMATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH EPCAMR

April 8th, 2013 rhughes

EPCAMR has once again partnered with the Anthracite Region Independent Power Producer’s Association (ARIPPA) to offer a competitive award to watershed organizations working on Abandoned Mine Land (AML) and/or Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) remediation projects in the Anthracite Region.  Grants,  at a maximum of $2,500, will be awarded to at least one eligible environmental organization or Conservation District in the Anthracite Region actively working on AML/AMD issues. EPCAMR is hoping to see several good projects that we can leverage the funding for this year.  Grant proposals should be for on-the-ground AML/AMD construction projects with a completion date between August 2012 and August 2014.

Grant application deadline for the current round is: June 30, 2013.  

The amount granted is dependent upon demonstrated need.  Applying organizations must support the mission of ARIPPA, including the removal and conversion of waste coal into alternative energy and the beneficial use of CFB ash for AML/AMD reclamation. Organized in 1988, ARIPPA is a non-profit trade association based in Camp Hill, PA.  Membership is located in both the Anthracite and Bituminous Regions of Pennsylvania and comprised of:

  • Independent electric generating plants producing alternative energy and/or steam from coal refuse and
  • Businesses associated with the coal refuse – to – alternative energy industry.

Accordingly, ARIPPA is organized to:

  • advance the alternative energy electric power production industry,
  • encourage education about the generation of alternative energy and related industries,
  • promote the environmentally responsible production of electric power,
  • promote the utilization of alternative energy electric power,
  • endorse the continuity and growth of the alternative energy power production industry,
  • assist in meeting this country’s energy, industrial, economic, and environmental needs.

Due in part to ARIPPA member activities, unsightly coal refuse piles and the problems associated with them are gradually disappearing. Thousands of acres of land have been and continue to be reclaimed to a natural state or for productive use and future development.  ARIPPA facilities remove and utilize coal refuse from both past and current mining activities, thereby abating acid mine drainage from coal refuse piles.  ARIPPA reports that 145 million tons of coal refuse has been processed and converted into alternative energy by their member plants from 1998 to 2008.  Further, the technology used to convert coal refuse to electricity, known as Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) technology, produces alkaline-rich ash by-products.  There are many beneficial uses for CFB ash including; filling mine pits, as a replacement for lime (for acid mine drainage remediation), for acid mine drainage remediation, as a soil amendment at mining sites, and/or as a concrete additive for roadways.

The unique nature of ARIPPA’s work combined with the desire to coordinate efforts with environmentally oriented groups and governmental agencies symbolize a commitment to improving the landscape and environment of our nation.  You can obtain the official Request for Proposals and supporting documents at the following two links:

ARIPPA Award Cover Page & Checklist (ADOBE PDF Fill In)
ARIPPA 2013 Award Application Instructions
Sample ARIPPA Mission Support Letter

You can learn more about ARIPPA at: www.arippa.org

Testing some New Services

March 26th, 2013 hardcoal

EPCAMR is testing a service provided by JetPack Publicize a plugin for WordPress.  There have been several security updates to Facebook and web browsers within the past few months that our “jack-of-all-trades and incidental web techie” has been dealing with to keep things running smoothly here in EPCAMR’s Cyberspace.

You may also see some new e-mail formats from us as we try out Mail Chimp, a plugin for our Google Apps email account.  The application allows us to better format e-mails to look more professional and tells a recipient how he or she got on our e-mail list.  It allows for updating of contact information (automatically, I know awesome!)  and opt-in (or opt-out) options.  On the back-end of the application I can track the effectiveness of the e-mail messages, who opened them, who clicked on links or downloaded attachments.  ”Big Brother,” Yes, but it will help us know how to better communicate with you all.

Thanks for Follow Us,

Michael Hewitt

EPCAMR Program Manager (and Jack-of-All-Trades/Incidental Techie/Accountant-in-Training…. what else?)

 

PA Watersheds Summit: Advocate, Communicate, Transform!

March 25th, 2013 rhughes

April 5 & 6, 2013- Nittany Lion Inn, State College, PA

Can a state have a more valuable asset than copious amounts of clean water? Pennsylvania is fortunate in its miles and miles of rivers, streams and creeks and its many individuals and groups who are clean water watchdogs. Members of watershed associations, sportsmen’s clubs, Trout Unlimited chapters, and the many other champions who work daily to protect the great natural beauty of Pennsylvania’s waters are the people we hope to see at this conference. Download the full conference brochure and check out our exciting agenda!

Friday, April 5
Noon – 5 p.m. Implementing an Abandoned Mine
Drainage Education Program
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Networking Reception

Saturday, April 6
8 – 9 a.m. Poster Session
9 – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast and Welcome
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Strategies for Effective Advocacy
10:30 a.m. – Noon Breakout Session 1
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Speaker
1:30 – 2 p.m. Poster Session
2 – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Session 2
3:40 – 4 p.m. Closing Remarks
Registration is $50
Half-price Registration Scholarships Provided to:
The first 40 registrants (first-come, first-served) sponsored by the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
PA Conservation District Watershed Specialists sponsored by The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds
West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition members sponsored by Trout Unlimited by Trout Unlimited

To register, please call Shelby Gracey at 412-397-6000 or you may register online.
 
A separate registration is required for the Friday session (no additional charge). 
 
Please indicate in the Notes/Comments section if you are bringing a display

EPCAMR Makes Borrowing Fishing Tackle as Easy as Borrowing a Library Book!

March 19th, 2013 rhughes
Family Fishing

Family Fishing

Now that today has officially begun the first day of Spring 2013, regardless of the snow on the ground, EPCAMR has become a regional sponsor in Luzerne County of a new Program administered by the PA Fish & Boat Commission. We our officially a loaner site for the PA Fish & Boat Commission Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. We are very excited to be involved with the program to offer fishing opportunities to our surrounding communities, families, conservation groups, and first time anglers and our youth. EPCAMR has been a long-time partner with the PA Fish & Boat Commission in cleaning up our rivers and streams impacted by AMD and in conducting fishery assessments and coldwater conservation plans in watersheds where trout habitat improvement projects take place to improve the fishery populations and preserve other native brook trout ecosystems. EPCAMR has developed a new web page explaining the Program on our website under our Current Initiatives entitled EPCAMR Fishing Tackle Loaner Program with PFBC. Take Me Fishing!

EPCAMR To Present at 2013 PA EnviroThon at Juniata College and Conduct AMD Tie-Dye Workshop for Students

March 18th, 2013 rhughes
PA EnviroThon

PA EnviroThon

Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), a non-profit organization, established in 1996 to encourage the reclamation and remediation of land and water impacted by past mining practices on abandoned mine lands in Eastern Pennsylvania Coalfields will be joining students at the 2013 PA Envirothon to increase their awareness of abandoned mine drainage and innovative, cutting edge 3D modeling of the underground mines throughout Pennsylvania.
The remnants of coal and non-coal mining are evident in our environment throughout the Commonwealth. In fact, the largest contributor of nonpoint source pollution in our state is Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) with over 5,000 miles of streams impacted throughout PA.
Through partnerships with conservation districts; watershed groups; schools and colleges; other non-profit and cooperative grassroots efforts; active industry and local, state, and federal government, EPCAMR efficiently uses our resources, collaborative technical treatment, and remediation technologies, and is at the forefront of developing 3D models that reflect the underground mines, geology, and mine pools beneath our abandoned mine lands to assist in restoring Pennsylvania’s vital watersheds and communities impacted by abandoned mine lands.

 

At this year’s State Envirothon’s Tuesday evening program, we are going to be a small part in helping to restore our streams by carrying EPCAMR’s workload on our backs, literally. EPCAMR will utilize iron oxide it has recovered, harvested, dried, and processed into a recycled powder from mine drainage that impacted streams in Northeastern PA to create AMD Tie-Dye T-shirts. EPCAMR has tie-dyed over 15,000 T-shirts in the last 10 years alone with students, the general public, conference attendees, campers, and at environmental fairs and workshops throughout NE and NC PA.

 

 

This year, EPCAMR is going to make shirts with state Envirothon participants using the 2013 Pennsylvania Envirothon T-shirts. Every shirt that we make removes a small amount of iron oxide from our rivers and streams to help restore them and to showcase the potential use of iron oxide as a pigment product that has value on the clothing market. EPCAMR worked with PA EnviroThon Program Coordinator Lorelle Steach to write an article on our participation in this year’s PA EnviroThon Event at Juniata College on May 21st and May 22, 2013; See the publication at http://www.envirothonpa.org/documents/2013WinterUPDATES.pdf

EPCAMR to Honor “Abe” Coolbaugh with Stream Restoration Dedication in Summer 2013 within the Solomon Creek Watershed

March 14th, 2013 rhughes

Abe Coolbaugh

Abe Coolbaugh


The South Wilkes-Barre “Mini-Mohawks” Football Program worked with EPCAMR to set aside their donation of $300.00 into a restricted reserve fund in his name to be used towards stream restoration projects in the Greater Wilkes-Barre Area. The EPCAMR Executive Director was once a former volunteer Football Coach with Mr.  Coolbaugh’s son, Rick, and is considered a very close friend. In fact, the EPCAMR Executive Director considers, not only Rick his friend, but the entire S. Wilkes-Barre “Mini-Mohawks” his extended family.  Robert E. Hughes, known as Bobby, to all of his Mohawk friends, has committed to the placement of a small plaque at the site of one of our anticipated Summer stream restoration projects in the Solomon Creek Watershed that will be visible to the public and will invite the family to the site for a ceremonial dedication when the time is right.

Bobby goes on to say, “I was saddened to hear about the passing of my friend Rick’s father from my dear friends Tom and Pam Middleton, who belong to the S. Wilkes-Barre Mini Mohawks Football Program. When asked if there were any conservation related groups in the area that they might be able to donate to in lieu of flowers, I provided them with a list of very reputable organizations, and they chose EPCAMR, instead. We are honored. I made a commitment to doing something with conservation in mind, because Abe was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. Knowing that we have a few stream restoration projects coming up in the Wilkes-Barre Area on Solomon Creek, and seeing that the Coolbaugh family was originally from the Wilkes-Barre area, I was sure that I could do a small project in his honor for Rick and the rest of his family that I am sure that he would appreciate. Our projects will be improving the trout fishery in the Solomon Creek with fishery habitat improvement projects and improving some of the flooding and sedimentation issues that plague the watershed. I think Abe would proud of the S. Wilkes-Barre Mini Mohawks Football Program. I know I am!”

Mr. Abraham Diamond Coolbaugh, age 77, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully recently at his home in Athens, Pa., surrounded by his family. He was born May 27, 1935 in Wyoming, a son of the late Wilbur and Mary Vandermark Coolbaugh.
He was a Korean War veteran and had earned three medals of honor. Abe was self-employed as a painter and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Joanne, with whom he enjoyed traveling across country together and spending time with their grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his brother Wilbur and three infant children.
He is survived by son Robert and his wife, Teresa, with whom he resided; son Richard and his wife, Molly; daughter Lee Klemash and her husband, Andrew; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and his siblings Emmit, John, Irvin, Jimmy and Florence.

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