Editorials
Turning off acid-mine drainage
For generations, our region has been battling the negative effects of acid-mine drainage.
We’ve cleaned up many polluted waterways and reduced the runoff from old mine sites. We’ve removed boney piles of coal ash and we’ve improved the technology used in our mines and coal-burning plants.
That’s why we support a new program that would treat millions of gallons from three abandoned mines in the Cresson, Gallitzin and Tunnelhill areas.
The water from the mines would be treated and released into the West Branch watershed in the Susquehanna River system.
Local streams involved in the project would include Chest Creek and Clearfield Creek.
“It will be a tremendous benefit to the whole region,” said Earl Smithmyer, president of the Clearfield Creek Watershed Association.
The group is indicative of so many local organizations that have been working hard for years to improve local waterways – a mile at a time.
The watershed association’s efforts in conjunction with the state Department of Environmental Protection and other organizations has led to improved water quality along Clearfield Creek to the point that trout can now be stocked in some areas.
In DEP’s proposed new project, tainted water would be drawn from the three northern Cambria County mine sites, then stored and treated. The water would then be released periodically into the watershed.
The state agency is meeting with property owners, seeking permission to do test drilling in the planned cleanup area in order to have a clear understanding of how much polluted water is underground.
Ultimately, this local project will dovetail with efforts elsewhere to bring improvement across the Susquehanna River basin down to the Chesapeake Bay – which has broad recreational and economic impact potential.
That’s a worthwhile endeavor.
And we look forward to more opportunities to do our part here in the headwaters of that important water system.
- Editorials
-
-
Send a letter to the readers' forum
To encourage the widest use of this forum, letters must be limited to 250 words. The Tribune-Democrat does not publish anonymous letters or letters addressed to others.
-
Book ’em: Galleria filling void
Should we be saying thanks a million or Books-A-Million?
-
Readers' Forum 7-29 | Work together to keep neighborhoods clean
In response to Karen West on July 18, “City councilwoman criticized, responds”:
My husband lost his job after 17 years. -
Shaffer Mountain update laudable
Mention Shaffer Mountain wind project and you’re bound to stir a lot of emotion in these parts.
-
Time casinos pay their fair share
The state is facing upward of a $2 billion deficit next year and school property taxes continue to rise, placing an additional burden on already-financially strapped taxpayers.
-
Readers' Forum 7-28 | Public exposed to shocking attire
Considering the many pressing issues in our town, I feel almost foolish writing about this issue, but I’m sick and tired of being forced to accept indecent exposure as a form of style.
-
The spring of our lives
Ah, the best times of our lives.
At least that’s what many of us believe. -
Readers' Forum 7-27 | Keeping Slovak heritage alive
I would like to thank The Tribune-Democrat for researching and publishing a beautiful write-up about the Slovak heritage (“Homelands,” June 27).
-
Illegal dumps are rubbish
That Cambria County individually, and Pennsylvania in general, continues to have serious trash-dumping problems is shocking. Perhaps it shouldn’t be.
-
Nuclear plants generate more than electricity
Pennsylvania’s five nuclear power stations are known for cleanly generating affordable electricity, but they also provide much-needed jobs and economic activity.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Send a letter to the readers' forum
