Susquehanna River Basin Commission Awards Design Contract For Tioga River Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment Project

On May 12, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission awarded a nearly $1.5 million contract to Kleinfelder Inc. for the design of a mine discharge treatment plant to improve the quality of the Tioga River from Blossburg to Mansfield in Tioga County.

Once constructed, the plant will actively treat five mine discharges. Three are currently degrading Morris Run, a tributary stream that flows into the Tioga River. Another is contaminating the nearby Fall Brook tributary. 

The collection and treatment system will also capture the largest mine discharge in the area – Coal Creek #5.

Treatment of these five discharges will not only restore the mainstem of the Tioga River, but will also restore parts of the Tioga-Hammond Lakes Recreation Area. Downstream water quality improvements and benefits are expected to flow across state lines as the Tioga River runs from Pennsylvania north into New York state.

For decades, the TCCCC has been involved in projects to clean-up waters affected by abandoned mine drainage pollution.

“Restoration of the Upper Tioga River Watershed will have significant positive environmental impacts for Tioga County, specifically the towns of Blossburg, Covington and Mansfield, as well as the Tioga Hammond Dam complex,” explained Joyce Andrews, Secretary of TCCCC. “Benefits include recreational fishing opportunities, improved wildlife habitat, value-added for properties bordering the river, and overall improved aesthetics of the Tioga River corridor.”

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee worked together on the plan to address abandoned mine drainage going into the Tioga River.

Abandoned mine discharges are a leading source of stream impairment in Pennsylvania with more than 5,500 miles of waterways affected statewide.

This project is funded in part by DEP’s Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program. 

TCCCC plans to contribute funding raised under their “Save the River” effort.

Visit SRBC’s Tioga River Abandoned Mine Drainage storymap for more details.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

[How Clean Is Your Stream?

[Check DEP’s 2022 Water Quality Report to find out how clean streams are near you.]

(Photo: Tioga River at Blossburg, from SRBC's Tioga River Storymap..)

Upcoming Event:

-- PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference June 22-23

Related Articles - Mine Reclamation:

-- Casey, Cartwright Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Fund Abandoned Mine Treatment O&M Costs

-- CBF Blog: Acid Mine Drainage - The Legacy Of Coal Mining A Key Source Of Harm To Pennsylvania's Headwaters

Related Articles This Week: Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding:

-- EPA Announces 2022 State Water Revolving Fund Grants Funded By Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; PA Share Is $240.1 Million 

-- Sen. Casey, DEP Highlight Importance Of Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding To Address Abandoned Mine Reclamation In Visit To Northumberland County 

-- EPA Announces Brownfields Cleanup, Assessment Funding; 8 Grants In PA Totalling $7.3 Million [Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Included]

Related Articles This Week:

-- DCNR Blog: Whiskey Springs ATV Trail, Clinton County To Close 4 Days A Week To Allow Work On 3 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Projects

[Posted: May 13, 2022]  PA Environment Digest