May 1998

THE CATALYST

Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Monthly Activities Update

Next meeting: Thursday, 5/14/98, 7:00 PM, SRU Vincent Science Hall (Rm. 105). Topics: previous events; new Boy Scout project; Three Rivers Environmental Awards Banquet; other new projects. Prior meeting: 4/9/98, Rm. 105, SRU Vincent Science Hall. Attendees: S. Smith, J. Belgredan, B. Zick, C. Cooper, F. Brenner, T. Danehy, M. Dunn, T. VanDyke, J. VanDyke. .

1998 SRWC SYMPOSIUM & GET-TOGETHER

Due to the HUGE success (and fun!) of the Symposium and Get-Together a special section of "The Catalyst" will be dedicated to these events in the next issue. For those who were unable to attend the Symposium, a copy of the agenda is attached. As the high school and college students may be graduating soon, we would like to especially acknowledge their contributions at this time.

LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL (ELLWOOD CITY AREA DISTRICT)

Rick Bartolomeo's Biology classes

(Several of the instructors commented as to how attentive and motivated the students were!!! This was very rewarding to us to see this enthusiasm!!!)

SLIPPERY ROCK HIGH SCHOOL

Tony Consbruck's Applied Ecology class

(SRHS students are interested in working with the SRWC in the watershed!!)

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY

John Burglund, Env. Sci. student (Prof: Dr. Dean DeNicola)

Joanna Conrad, Env. Sci. Student (Prof: Dr. Michael Stapleton)

GROVE CITY COLLEGE

Kristine Dooley, Biology student (Prof: Dr. Fred Brenner)

Matt Montag, Biology student (Prof: Dr. Fred Brenner)

ALLEGHENY COLLEGE

Leslie Hunter, Env. Sci. student (Prof: Dr. Scott Wissinger)

Michael Houser, Env. Sci. student (Prof: Dr. Scott Wissinger)

Robert Dolence, Deputy Secretary PA DEP, commented to the audience of about 189 regarding the importance of the interest and enthusiasm of the students and the real difference that they can make towards improving the environment. The SRWC understands that the efforts of the college students are invaluable as they are advancing not only the general body of knowledge about stream restoration but also providing specific knowledge about the Slippery Rock Creek Watershed and the degree of success of the specific projects. Good luck . . . and thanks!!!

On April 13, 1998, sixteen Girl Scouts participated in the day-long badge program at Jennings Environmental Education Center. A twin poster session ( including a computer !!! and video presentation), developed by MaryJo and JoAnn Clark and Kitty and Darcy Peart, which colorfully depicted their on-going activities at Jennings, greatly added to the event. Each Girl Scout received a packet of technical information. Charles Cooper summarized the coal mine drainage research at the on-site facility. (Charles admits to have been too "long-winded".) Bill Wasser and Laurel Garlicki of the Jennings staff then provided a very-well received, "hands-on" instruction in water chemistry and aquatic biology using Big Run as their outdoor laboratory. After lunch, there were informative, interactive discussions with Dr. Fred Brenner (Grove City College) regarding future career opportunities in the environmental field and with Frances Stein (DCNR) regarding state-sponsored environmental and educational programs. The Girl Scouts then completed their Service Project by preparing and seeding the research site with permanent warm season grasses (Hooray--- this was really needed!!!) under the tutelage of Dr. Fred Brenner. Annette Cholock of the Keystone Tall Tree Girl Scout Council and several Girl Scout leaders also attended. THANKS TO ALL!!!

The 19^th Annual West Virginia Surface Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium was held in Morgantown, WV on April 7& 8, 1998. With an attendance totaling about 350(!!) from the nation's capital and eleven states (WV, PA, MD, OH, KY, IL, VA, CO, MN, SC, AL), this event provided an unparalleled opportunity to discuss and to learn about other watershed restoration efforts and the on-going development of mine drainage abatement and land reclamation technologies.

In his talk entitled, "Passive Treatments and Watershed Organizations," George Watzlaf, Env. Eng. (US Dept of Energy) included a discussion (with slides!) of selected SRWC activities. George is part of the environmental technology group headed by Dr. Robert Kleinman which continues to provide valuable scientific research relating to passive treatment technology. Margaret Dunn commented to the audience after the talk that the beginnings of the co-operative effort which has become the SRWC can be traced directly to a 1992 informational workshop which was presented by Dr. Kleinman's group sponsored by the now PA DEP, Knox District Mining Office and hosted by the Jennings Environmental Education Center. Thanks again for the continued research and willingness to explain your findings to all of us interested in environmentally-friendly treatment technologies! ! !

The SRWC posters and video presentation was very warmly and enthusiastically received at the reception!!! One of the attendees commented on the SRWC's accomplishments since his tour of the watershed as part of a 1996 Office of Surface Mining workshop. (See 10/96 Catalyst.) The SRWC participants were kept so busy due to the interest in our activities that one of them commented as to not having a chance to enjoy the buffet!! Not only was the SRWC the last to leave the reception but also during the dismantling of our display, some attendees asked us to "set it up" again for further discussion!!! Needless to say, this was extremely rewarding ! ! !

THANKS, THANKS, THANKS to the following: Tim Gillen and Tim VanDyke (PA DEP, Knox DMO); Bob Zick(Chester Engineers); Tim Danehy and Margaret Dunn(Stream Restoration Inc.) These individuals attended the Symposium and made the poster and video presentations possible. WV Surface Mine Drainage Task Force; WV Mining & Reclamation Association Individuals, such as Jeff Skousen, Ben Faulkner, and John Sencindiver, provided an especially warm welcome. Joe Donovan(WVU, Dept. of Geology) and Norrie Robbins(US Geological Survey) who provided much appreciated logistical assistance!!!

For more information contact:

Slippery Watershed Coalition, c/o Stream Restoration, Inc. (PA non-profit), 338 Glen Eden Road, Rochester, PA 15074, (724)774-2813, fax: (724)774-1219