Learn How SRBC Assesses Impacts Of Water Withdrawals

You can now learn how the Susquehanna River Basin Commission assesses the impacts of water withdrawals by Marcellus Shale drilling operators and other major water users through a new online video.

Matt Shank, an SRBC Aquatic Biologist, describes how the Commission conducts its aquatic resource survey of biological, chemical and physical data to evaluate water withdrawals.

This is one of several videos produced by SRBC to educate the public on water resource issues.

LandStudies Lititz Run Restoration Tour

LandStudies, Inc. and its partners recently conducted a tour of Lititz Run Watershed Restoration Projects in Lancaster County to illustrate the value of natural restoration project designs at different stages of installation and development.
          LandStudies pioneered the concept of Floodplain Restoration techniques which gets at the root many erosion and sedimentation and nutrient runoff problems.  These techniques not only improve water quality and effectively deal with stormwater management issues, but offer a source nutrient and other credits for sale to wastewater plants and developers.
         LandStudies organizes customized tours like this for organizations interested in effective watershed restoration projects.  Contact Mark Gutshall by sending email to: mark@LandStudies.com or visit the Landstudies, Inc. website.

Harry Campbell, CBF Senior Scientist On Chesapeake Bay Health

Watch an interview with Harry Campbell, a Senior Scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation based in Harrisburg, on the State of the Bay report issued by CBF on January 2.  

The interview touches on the health of the Chesapeake Bay, the status of efforts to cleanup the Bay in Pennsylvania and across the watershed and related issues such as Marcellus Shale drilling, the budget challenges facing Pennsylvania and the hands-on efforts of CBF to help farmers and others reduce nutrient loads to the land and streams.
The interview was conducted on Skype.

Federal Mine Reclamation Funding To PA Cut By $200 Million

In July when the new federal Surface Transportation Bill (HR 4348) was signed into law it included an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) which will reduce federal Abandoned Mine Reclamation Funding to Pennsylvania by $200 million over the next 10 years.

           John Dawes, Executive Director of the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, is heading up a campaign to restore reclamation funding to the state.

           In this interview he shares background on the issue and the steps being taken to reverse the loss of funding.

           Click here for more details on the issue.

Quecreek Mine Rescue Celebrated As Triumph Of The American Spirit

The 10th Anniversary of the 2002 Quecreek Mine Rescue of nine trapped miners in Somerset County was celebrated Saturday with a special program featuring former Gov. Mark Schweiker, other state and federal mine rescue officials, private companies involved in the rescue and several of the rescued coal miners.

Gov. Mark Schweiker offers his comments in this video.

“The rescue was a miracle, there’s no other way to describe it,” said Bill Arnold, Executive Director of the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation and the owner of the family farm where the rescue took place.   “People from all over the world have come to learn about the rescue, what coal mining is all about and how everyone worked together to save the lives of the miners.”

“The Quecreek Mine Rescue is a celebration of life, community and determination,” said Arnold. “A community of people-- coal miners, state and federal rescue workers, coal companies and Somerset community volunteers-- came together to achieve a single objective-- rescuing nine men trapped 190 below the ground and return them to their families.

“It is a tremendous example of determination and the Pennsylvania spirit to never give in to overwhelming odds, that is why we are calling this celebration ‘The Triumph of the American Spirit,’” said Arnold.

Watch these videos of other comments offered at the anniversary celebration on July 28--
-- Joe Sbaffoni, DEP Director of Deep Mine Safety;
-- Bill Arnold invites comments from Rescued Miners John Unger, Thomas Foy; Blaine Mayhugh;
-- Congressman Mark Critz;
-- Joseph Main, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety & Health;
-- Larry Neff, ISG, Inc. (formerly Bethlehem Mines); and
-- David Hughes, Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation Advisory Committee.
Background
On July 24, 2002 miners broke through into an abandoned, water-filled mine flooding the Quecreek Mine with over 150 million gallons of water.  Nine miners scrambled to safety, but nine were trapped in a pocket of air in the dark, cold, water filled mine.  They were rescued four days later through the combined efforts of state and federal mine rescue agencies and hundreds of workers and volunteers.
Online Video: Quecreek Mine Rescue: Critical Decisions
Download: DEP Commemorative Booklet "Nine for Nine" (large file)
NewsClips:
Miners, Rescuers Gather On 10th Anniversary Of Quecreek Rescue

Gov. Schweiker Recalls Quecreek Mine Rescue

Schweiker: Quecreek A Miracle Worth Sharing

Quecreek Mine Rescue Remembered

Miners, Rescuers Gather In Somerset County

Post-Gazette Coverage Of 2002 Mine Rescue