The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition is partnering with the Butler Chapter of the North Country Trail Association to make repairs to bridges and trail segments in Butler County.
Funding for the projects comes from the federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund Pilot Program to promote local economic development.
The North Country Scenic Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. trail system stretching 4,600 miles across eight states from North Dakota to Vermont. We are fortunate to have this scenic trail run right through the Slippery Rock Creek Watershed.
The 57-mile Butler County Chapter segment of the North Country Trail begins at Alpha Pass in McConnells Mill State Park and ends crossing the Parker Bridge over the Allegheny River at Parker.
The majority of the trail in Butler County is located within McConnells Mill, and Moraine state parks, and Jennings Environmental Education Center and State Game Lands 95; however, some of the trail is still located on back roads.
The SRWC is partnering with the Butler County Chapter of the North Country Trail Association to repair or replace up to 6 bridges, repair approximately 2,000 feet of trail, and replace approximately 600 feet of boardwalk.
Funding has been provided by the AML Pilot Program, which is investing in the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with economic and community development.
This project also includes the rehabilitation of the Barkley Road Passive Treatment System and improvements to the Foltz School House at Jennings Environmental Education Center.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.
[Reclamation Fee Reauthorization
[Unless Congress acts to reauthorize the per ton federal abandoned mine reclamation fee that funds projects like this, states like Pennsylvania that have hundreds of thousands of acres of abandoned mine lands in need of reclamation will not be able to continue these efforts.
[Visit the PA AML Campaign website for more information from the point of view of local and regional groups involved in abandoned mine reclamation in Pennsylvania.
[Visit the Our Work’s Not Done website supported by states involved in the federal abandoned mine reclamation program.]
(Reprinted from the November Catalyst newsletter from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
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[Posted: November 25, 2020] PA Environment Digest
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