South Fayette Conservation Group

Working to ensure the conservation, protection and enhancement
of our natural and recreational resources

The Fishing Run Stream Restoration and Maude Mine Reclamation Project to be followed by the Gladden Discharge passive wetland filtration system

Winner of a 2008 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Award

Winner of a 2008 Western Pa Environmental Award

The Fishing Run/Maude Mine Reclamation Project has diverted Fishing Run, a tributary of Millers Run, out of an abandoned mine where it brought polluted water to the surface and thru the Gladden discharge site into Millers Run. Fishing Run had been contributing significantly to the contamination measured at the Gladden discharge. Millers Run is a tributary of Chartiers Creek.
 

The stream was relocated back to its near historic stream bank location and an open mine entrance was sealed. Preliminary post construction data shows a 30% reduction of pollution entering Millers Run.  Final work on the project included planting 4000 bare root trees along the restored stream channel, an area of approximately 93,000 square feet, in the spring of 2008.

In addition to relocating the stream channel, dilapidated abandoned mining structures were removed and dangerous highwalls were eliminated through site re-grading.

May 2008, the project is complete. 
4000 trees have been planted along the entire length of the stream for stream bank stabilization and riparian buffer establishment.

Work will next progress to the Gladden discharge site located within 200 feet of Millers Run. Passive filtration and settlement ponds are planned for this area.

The Gladden discharge is the primary pollutant in the Lower Chartiers Creek Watershed contributing 60% of the iron loading and 70% of the acidity loading.

Restoration of the Fishing Run stream channel and the remediation of the Gladden discharge will restore approximately four devastated miles of Millers Run, greatly improving the quality of water within the Lower Chartiers Creek Watershed. 

Learn more about AMD at http://amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/AMDbasics/

View more information in the Photo Galleries
and on the Project Page