Ongoing Projects
Watershed Assessment & Restoration Plan
In Oct 2022 DCED awarded the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance with a $200,000 grant for a watershed assessment and conceptual restoration plan. In May 2023, the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation added $45,000 to the project which will help support 12 full months of water sampling. The sampling is a requirement when applying for future BIL funding.
The initial assessment includes comprehensive studies of flow rates, acid mine drainage, and GIS mapping. Data collection efforts and the restoration plan will focus on the nine (9) most significant AMD discharges within the watershed identified by previous studies. The principal focus of the AMD treatment concepts will be collecting, conveying, and treating these discharges at several active (i.e., mechanical) treatment plants for improvement of water.
There are numerous suspected areas within streams allowing water to enter the underground mine workings, throughout the 137 square miles of Shamokin Creek watershed. Minimizing the stream infiltration may require stream sealing or stream diversions to prevent clean water from entering into the mine workings. Understanding the extent of the mine pools will allow future design efforts to utilize strategically placed pumps to minimize the number of treatment plants needed. Optimizing the treatment plant locations will decrease the overall quantity of water requiring treatment as well as the capital investment of installing multiple treatment facilities.
Quaker Run Restoration Project – Kulpmont, PA
The Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club awarded the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance $11,932 through its Huplits Wildlife Grant Program to restore 250 feet of creek bed along Quaker Run. The money supplemented $100,000 SCRA received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to design and restore 2,000 feet of the creek bed to prevent water seeping into abandoned mines. This funding was part of a $736,294 civil penalty DEP imposed against the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Co. for violations associated with the construction of the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline.
Veterans Memorial Field in Kulpmont has been identified as the location to build a wetland. Quaker Run in this area flows only part of the year due to a porous creek bed that allows surface water to seep into the mines. Quaker Run was extremely affected by past mining operations and the water seeping into the mines creates even more acid mine drainage.
SCRA hired professionals to complete the design to restore the creek bed, obtain DEP permits and oversee construction. Approximately $43,800 from the settlement funds was allocated toward design fees. A professional site survey is ongoing including laser scanning (LiDAR). Funding from the Huplits Wildlife Grant will allow for approximately 250 feet of stream restoration. A clay lining will be added to keep the water from seeping into the mines and structures will be built to hold back storm water events. The structures will become homes to aquatic, terrestrial and avian wildlife.
This project is part of a broader effort by SCRA and Kulpmont Borough to enhance Veterans Memorial Field. Past and ongoing projects include a walking track, signage, tree plantings, pollinator garden, pedestrian bridge and restrooms.
Annual Coal Mining History and Water Quality Field Trip
For six years the SCRA has been participating in fields trips with local schools where students have an opportunity to learn about our coal mining history, the environmental impacts, what a healthy stream looks like, and what we can do to improve impacted streams. Students travel to numerous locations and participate in hands-on activities for an immersive experience. The field trips are made possible with funding from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education Grant and other local businesses and non-profit partners. Part of the field trip experience includes students planting trees and shrubs which give them an opportunity to feel like they’ve made a positive impact on the environment.
Click here to visit the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s website and read more about these educational field trips.
Click the Contact button if you’d like to schedule a watershed tour with the SCRA.
Goal for the Future
Our vision is to have healthy streams and creeks throughout the Shamokin Creek watershed which will support aquatic life and promote wildlife habitat restoration and preservation.