Penn State Environmental Resource Management Students Tour NE PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Treatment Sites

On April 9, Penn State Environmental Resource Management (ERM) students, along with Program Coordinator Rob Shannon, traveled to the northeast Pennsylvania anthracite region to tour abandoned mine drainage sites and mine reclamation projects with ERM alumnus Bobby Hughes, Executive Director of Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation.  

EPCAMR, with Bobby at the helm, is making positive environmental change and having an impact in communities throughout the anthracite coal mining region, including educating undergraduates from his alma mater. 

Students learned about the history of coal mining in northeastern Pennsylvania, efforts to convert legacy coal spoil piles to useful recreation fields and commercial sites for local communities, and treatment opportunities for the many abandoned mine discharges in the coal region.

(Photos: Left- Bobby Hughes, Penn State ERM students at Askam Borehole AMD treatment site by Tammy Shannon; Right- Askam Borehole AMD treatment site, Hanover Twp., Luzerne County, Earth Conservancy)

(Written by Dr. Robert Shannon, Penn State Environmental Resource Management Program Coordinator.)

 [Posted: April 11, 2022]  PA Environment Digest