Plymouth Historical Society Archives

EPCAMR is proud to announce that our review committee has selected the following 2013 ARIPPA AMD/AML RECLAMATION AWARDS following our review of the proposals submitted by August 1, 2013 to assist the groups with costs of operation, maintenance, and repairs of abandoned mine drainage (AMD) Treatment Systems, watershed restoration projects, historical preservation efforts, land acquisition costs, and illegal dump site cleanups on abandoned mine sites within their communities. $2500 is being awarded for 2013 thanks to a generous contribution of the donation to EPCAMR from ARIPPA that we have chosen to disperse back out to our local communities to improve our rivers and streams impacted by AMD.

1. Luzerne Conservation District–$500; Restoration of Nockley’s Tributary within the Solomon Creek Watershed, Hanover Township, Luzerne County, PA

The project will result in the removal of heavy sedimentation and woody debris dams within the tributary and repair and restore severely eroded streambanks and stormwater outlets flowing into the stream.

Stormwater Pipe along S. Main Street entering Nockley’s Tributary

2. Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association-$1000; South Branch Mehoopany Creek Liming Project, Wyoming County, Forkston Township, PA

50 Tons of limestone sand will be applied to the South Branch of Mehoopany Creek to increase the pH levels in the stream to improve the fishery habitat and water quality in the Mehoopany Creek watershed historically impaired by acidity.

Limestone sand dosing of Stony Brook in 2011 in the Mehoopany Creek Watershed

3. Plymouth Historical Society-$500; Historic Avondale Mine Disaster Illegal Dump Site Cleanup

The Plymouth Historical Society will lead a volunteer cleanup of illegally dumped garbage at the historic Avondale Mine Disaster Site where EPCAMR has completed several historic preservation projects in the past, located in Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, PA

Tons of trash illegally dumped at the foot of the Avondale Mine Disaster Site in Plymouth Township along the Susquehanna Warrior Trail

4. Lackawanna Valley Conservancy, Inc.-$500; Lower Lackawanna Mine Drainage Property Acquisition Program towards the Old Forge Borehole AMD Treatment Feasibility Project

The Lackawanna Valley Conservancy, Inc. will be applying the funds towards the costs of an initial real estate appraisal on the value of abandoned mine lands that are being proposed to be acquired by their partners, the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, EPCAMR, and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission,