In 1997 the Susquehanna was designated an “American Heritage River” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; an initiative that aimed to represent a diverse group of waterways in need of, or revitalized examples of, environmental restoration, cultural protection, and economic revitalization. The environmental nonprofit American Rivers named the Susquehanna the year’s “Most Endangered River” in 2005, and “#3 Most Endangered River” in 2016. This designation is in part due to the excessive amounts of pollution the river receives.

Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) impacts both branches of the Susquehanna River along their entire lengths. The Main Bituminous Coalfields (soft coal) drain polluted water to the west branch, and the Anthracite Coalfields (hard coal) drain polluted water to the eastern portion of the river basin. In Pennsylvania, AMD is the second highest cause of water pollution, behind only agricultural runoff. Only 30% of streams in the Susquehanna basin demonstrate the natural hydrological and ecological qualities of a healthy stream. Many outside of this 30% have been declared “biologically dead” as they support no aquatic life due to the level of pollution in the water.

Old Forge Borehole AMD picture as it flows into the Lackawanna River.

Aquatic organisms are only the “canary in the coal mine” in this situation. In addition to impacting alkalinity, which on either extreme of the spectrum will harm aquatic life, AMD releases sediments, dissolved metals, and unfriendly gasses. Released gasses, like CO2 and methane, attract mosquitoes which can cause further harm to organisms in the nearby environment. Sediments and dissolved metals such as aluminum clog the gills of organisms living in the polluted waters and can eventually drive these organisms out of the ecosystem. Downstream effects include the leaching of these dissolved metals (think lead, manganese, iron) into groundwater supplies, which are used for municipal drinking water. American Water Works Association raises awareness of impaired groundwater with Source Water Protection Week. This year, it begins on World Rivers Day!

Treatment of Abandoned Mine Lands takes years, millions of dollars, and continued maintenance efforts. Simply “waiting it out”, i.e. waiting for the underground pollutants to deplete, would likely take hundreds of years. Treatment of AMD runoff involves raising or lowering the pH (alkalinity) of the water and removing heavy metals to allow the waterway to return to a state that can again support aquatic life and natural biological processes.

Read about the professional services and technical assistance that EPCAMR provides across PA and our region impacted by AMD and abandoned mine lands in our EPCAMR presentation folder. You can also find out more about our work in our latest EPCAMR brochure 2026.

Learn more about AMD Treatment Systems here, or visit the “Fact Sheets” section of epcamr.org!

The post For World Rivers Day: Cleaning Up and Restoring AMD for the Susquehanna appeared first on epcamr.org.

EPCAMR is helping to put the word out about a full-time opening in Wilkes-Barre for one of our regional partners.

Job Description: Northeast PA Outreach Coordinator (Wilkes-Barre)

The Outreach Coordinator educates PennFuture members, the environmental advocacy community, and decision makers about environmental and conservation issues with an emphasis on climate, water, and energy-related policies. He or she is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with PennFuture constituents, including coalition partners, and representing PennFuture’s positions to the general public. The Outreach Coordinator works with a team of professionals including attorneys, policy experts, media professionals and other outreach staff and is the public face of the organization in northeast Pennsylvania.

Job Duties:

• Implement environmental issue campaigns by defining and managing objectives, recruiting coalition members, and coordinating meetings and events
• Work with other environmental advocacy organizations to organize and facilitate meetings and events – occasional evening and weekend hours
• Community outreach, event tabling, public speaking
• Recruit and manage members, supporters, and volunteers
• Manage and implement a range of grant deliverables and campaign activities
• Assist with grant writing, editing, and reporting
• Craft campaign e-mails, action alerts, blog and social media posts
• Draft, edit, and submit letters to the editor and other opinion pieces
• Build support for local, state, and federal legislative priorities
• Occasional lobbying of public officials and government agencies
• Draft and present testimony at public hearings pertaining to environmental issues
• Work with law staff to develop cases for litigation and respond to requests for assistance as well as general inquiries
• Conduct reporter interviews by phone and in person, speak at press conferences and other media events
• Steer our regional climate, water, clean-energy, and sustainability work and assist with other initiatives
• Perform office administrative duties, including member data entry, as directed

Qualifications:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent social media skills.

Enthusiasm for PennFuture, its mission, and its brand.

Detail oriented and highly organized.

Driver License.

Familiarity with non-profit organizations is preferred though not required.

Education and experience:

Bachelor’s degree.

3-5+ years in outreach, advocacy, or organizing.

Deep understanding of conservation, environmental, and energy issues.

Strong leadership skills and ability to work with staff on site and remotely.

Understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental/conservation landscape.

Location, Compensation and Timeline:

The position is based in Wilkes-Barre. Competitive salary based on experience. Generous benefits package includes health care, dental, life insurance and paid time off.

Submission:

Please submit your cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to the Director of Outreach at andrews@pennfuture.org. Please write “Northeast PA Outreach Coordinator” in the subject line. The application deadline is September 26, 2016.

The post PennFuture Is Hiring a NE PA Outreach Coordinator based in Wilkes-Barre appeared first on epcamr.org.