Abandoned Mine Drainage Workgroup          Back to Organization

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Participants

Open to anyone!

Current membership includes the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III, Philadelphia Water Department, Schuylkill Headwaters Association, Schuylkill County Conservation District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Goal  

Maximize reduction and/or treatment of abandoned mine drainage discharges  

Objectives  

·          Reduce surface water infiltration into the Pine Knot mine-pool to lessen discharge

·          Remove metals such as iron, manganese, and aluminum from discharges and streams

·          Improve the pH of mine discharges and streams to pH 6.0 or above as needed to support aquatic life

·          Involve at least two or more partners actively in every AMD project

 Strategies

·          Identify funding for remediation projects to fill in the funding gap created when the SWIG monies are completely expended 

·          Assess, identify, and implement the most cost effective tools and strategies for addressing the Pine Knot Tunnel drainage

·         Assess and address treatment system maintenance needs

Accomplishments

·          AMD workgroup partners installed a treatment system that can remove 55% of aluminum, 35% of iron, 5% of manganese, and 10% of acidity from the Otto Mine Tunnel discharge to Muddy Branch. 

·          AMD workgroup partners installed a system to treat discharge from the Reevesdale South Dip Tunnel to improve water quality in Wabash Creek.

·         AMD workgroup partners installed a treatment system at the Bell Colliery in Schuylkill County to remove metals from drainage that directly enters the Schuylkill River.

 Dan Koury at dkoury@state.pa.us (570) 621-3118

Bell Colliery Remediation Results