Mary D Multi-Purpose Mine Reclamation Project

Representatives of more than 20 partners gathered to celebrate the start of a multi-purpose mine reclamation project in MaryD, Schuylkill County. The partners include the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, Delaware River Basin Commission, Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission, Schuylkill County Commissioners, Schuylkill County Conservation District, Schuylkill Township, Mary D Fire Co., Mary D Baseball Association, Enterprising Environmental Solutions Inc., URS Corp., the Exelon Schuylkill River Restoration Fund, William Penn Foundation, DEP, DCNR and Stell Environmental Enterprises Inc. The $967,000 project will turn the old baseball field, currently owned by the Mary D Fire Co., into a passive mine drainage treatment system to treat up to 1,000 gallons per minute of acidic discharges from long-abandoned underground mines. The Blaschak Coal Corp. of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County, has donated approximately 10 acres of abandoned mine land for the site of a year-round recreation facility that will new six-acre facility that will include a baseball field; a regulation soccer field; basketball courts; walking path; handicap accessible concession, pavilion and restroom facilities; parking; fencing and bleachers. PA Environment Digest editor David Hess caught up with some of the key partners at the ceremony. November 29, 2006