English

Abstract

In 1979, the Maryland Abandoned Mine Inventory (MAMI) estimated that over 450 miles of Maryland streams had been damaged by acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned pre-law coal mine sites. Aaron Run, a sub- drainage of the Savage River Watershed, has been severely impacted by acid mine drainage from pre-law mining activities, and is now listed on Maryland's 1998-303 (d) list of Water Quality Limited Segments (WQLSs) for pH impairment. In 2005 the Maryland Department of Environment, Bureau of Mines (MDE-BOM) submitted a proposal, and received funding through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 319 program to demonstrate de-listing of Aaron Run. Overall, the remediation plan developed and carried out by the MDE-BOM, proposes to mitigate AMD impacts at 3 project locations, to raise the entire stream's average pH from approximately 3.3 to 7.0, and eliminate the majority of all AMD inflow. Treatment technologies will include Aluminator© systems, limestone leach beds and a limestone doser, in 2008. MDE-BOM initiated the formation of the Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) along with numerous cohesive partnerships. These partnerships have facilitated applying for match funding through OSM Watershed Cooperative Grants, and other sources. The SRWA has provided in-kind services through volunteer effort to help with the monitoring of Aaron Run. The Savage River Watershed Association hired an OSM/VISTA (Office of Surface Mines/Volunteer in Service to America) in June 2007 to assist with monitoring of planned project sites and to build capacity of the organization. The Aaron Run Watershed Restoration initiative is an ideal opportunity to exemplify a holistic approach to watershed restoration through joint efforts. There is potential to de-list a watershed from Maryland's 1998-303(d) list, restore a currently extirpated population of native brook trout, remediate numerous AMD impacts, and protect important economic fisheries resources. Because the Savage River is known for its pristine quality and is frequently used as a reference site to characterize the quality of other streams, it is truly a priority conservation system. Success of the Aaron Run restoration effort may lead the way for future regional watershed restoration efforts.