The public is cordially invited to a picnic and joint meeting of Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association. The event will begin with a free picnic dinner at 5:30 pm and tour of the Biology Field Station used by Lycoming College staff and its Clean Water Institute in teaching biology and environmental science including research and demonstration projects on conservation and restoration of the Loyalsock Creek riparian floodplain and ecosystem.
At 6:30 pm the program will feature presentations on abandoned mine discharge (AMD) treatment issues and remedial work being done in the headwaters of Loyalsock Creek. There will be discussion of plans to upgrade treatment systems in need of rehabilitation and capacity expansion. Speakers will be Bobby Hughes and Mike Hewitt of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) and Tom Clark of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC). Both organizations and their speakers have extensive experience in treatment of AMD, and have been studying the status of the water quality of upper Loyalsock Creek and performance and condition of current systems used to treat AMD from tunnels used to drain water from under old coal mine shafts which discharge to Loyalsock Creek.
Hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, chips, beverages, and tableware will be provided for the picnic. Everyone can bring any additional food as desired, as well as a folding chair as seating is very limited. Please send RSVP to zimmer@lycoming.edu by September 8th if attending the picnic so food can be estimated.
Directions to the event: Lycoming College Biology Field Station is located at 3455 PA Route 87 just 3.5 miles north of Montoursville. From I-180, Loyalsock Ave. N exit, take PA 87 and drive north 3.5 miles. The driveway is on the left at the mailbox immediately north of the Inflection Energy gas wellpad entrance. Do NOT go into the gas wellpad entrance. Signage to the TU event will be at the mailbox and entrance to the field station. Google maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VxNbt7mpa56QF3bQ6. For more information please see our website at https://susquehannatu.com.
Speaker Profiles:
Bobby Hughes is Executive Director of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR). He has 27 years’ experience in abandoned mine reclamation, AMD remediation, and watershed restoration with EPCAMR (22 years of which has included work in the Loyalsock Creek watershed with partners in Sullivan County), and as a grant writer, manager, conference coordinator, and administrator, He is Executive Vice President of the PA Council of Trout Unlimited and former NE Regional Director of PA Council of Trout Unlimited.
Tom Clark is the Mine Drainage Program Coordinator for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) where he specializes in the treatment of abandoned mine discharges and the reclamation of abandoned mine lands. Prior to his tenure at SRBC, Tom ran an independent watershed consulting business for seven years serving multiple clients in Western Pennsylvania. He has BS in Biology (Terrestrial Ecology) from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS in Biology (Aquatic Biology) from the California University of Pennsylvania working as a Research Assistant under Dr. William Kimmel.
Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited 