Our trained watershed staff provides technical assistance for water quality and riparian area monitoring, macroinvertebrate sampling, habitat evaluations and monitoring protocol development, among other areas of specialty. Our staff is also available to serve on steering and technical committees, and advisory boards at the local, state or federal level.
Why Abandoned Mine Drainage Services Are Needed
Conservancy staff works with local and regional organizations, county conservation districts, and state and federal agencies to restore land and water resources impaired by un-reclaimed or poorly reclaimed abandoned coal mines. Usually caused by the oxidation of iron sulfide, abandoned mine drainage (AMD) refers to the outflow of polluted water from an abandoned mining site. This reddish-orange water is toxic to most aquatic life, and leaves rivers and streams ecologically impaired.
How We Can Help
WPC assesses on-the-ground conditions to determine the causes of water pollution and impairments related to abandoned coal mines and then develops strategies to reduce or eliminate the causes. Often background data on water chemistry and flow are collected to help determine the best treatment system design concepts and methods to reduce pollution levels. We also regularly monitor these sites and work closely with other experts in the field of AMD treatment to develop a conceptual treatment system design concept. We also work to acquire the funding needed for implementation.