Mountain Watershed Association

06/09/2026

Do you live, fish, paddle, or play along the Youghiogheny River between West Newton and Buena Vista? Are you sick of seeing tires on the bottom of the river? Then help us get them out!

* For experienced paddlers only! *

MWA and Three Rivers Waterkeeper have arranged for tire pickup and disposal. We just need you (and your boat) to help us pull tires and stack them on the banks!

MWA and Three Rivers Waterkeeper staff will be on the water, but we are not providing guiding services. Please paddle at your own risk.

More details and a link to the parking location will be provided soon!

Questions? Email [email protected]

06/08/2026

On June 16 the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will hold an informal public conference on June 16 to take comments on LCT Energy LLP’s proposed Rustic Ridge II Coal Mine NPDES permit application.

Community members and environmental groups will gather to voice concerns over potential impacts to water quality in the Laurel Highlands region.

The hearing will take place on June 16 at 6:00 pm at Saint Raymond of the Mountains Church, 170 School House Lane, Donegal, PA 15628.

Department staff will be available to answer general questions on the permit applications and to receive both written and oral testimony regarding the applications.

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Those who wish to provide testimony at the hearing are required to register 24 hours in advance by emailing [email protected] or by calling 412-442-4311. DEP requests that those providing oral testimony submit a written copy of their comments to [email protected] following the hearing.

The California District Mining Office will accept additional written comments two weeks after the date of the hearing, putting the deadline for written comments at June 30.

Written comments should be directed via email to [email protected] and include the permit number ( ) in the subject line.

06/05/2026

The Top Yough and surrounding Old Growth Forests Need Your Help!

A new bridge has been proposed to cross the Wild Youghiogheny River scenic corridor near the entrance of Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County, Maryland. The county wants to replace the existing "temporary" bridge (constructed in 2012) with a larger structure that will service two lanes of traffic.

The most recent plan would remove “Old Growth” hemlock trees from Swallow Falls State Park and destroy wetlands and unique geological features within the “Wild” Youghiogheny River (Maryland Scenic & Wild Rivers Act).

Tell Garrett County Commissioners to choose Option 1C and use the existing bridge alignment for the Swallow Falls Bridge. By doing so, Garrett County, MD will avoid unnecessary demolition of old growth hemlock trees and destruction of the Wild Yough Corridor.

Email your comments to [email protected] by June 12!

Or sign onto our letter campaign at https://actionnetwork.org/letters/defend-the-wild-yough-and-save-the-old-growth-hemlock-trees

06/05/2026

We collect water samples weekly from May - September and test them to swimming standards. Each site gets a "pass" or "fail" rating until the next samples are collected.

Water quality is like the weather: it changes all the time. That's why it is important to check water quality every time you plan to swim.

State Parks and localities test public beaches. Our testing covers unofficial sites on rivers and creeks.

Bacteria (especially E. coli bacteria) is the main indicator of water quality problems. When bacteria levels are high, your risk of illness is higher. When bacteria levels are low, it's safer to swim.

Our testing shows a snapshot of water conditions, but water quality is always changing! (Heavy rainfall causes runoff that increases bacteria in a waterway.) Here's a good rule of thumb: if the water is brown, turn around!

Full information at Mtwatershed.com/swimmable-waters

06/02/2026

Appalachia is at risk. Resource extraction, shale gas drilling, coal mining, and petrochemical infrastructure threaten our air, water, and way of life.

But communities can fight back - grassroots organizing has been proven to make real change at the local level and beyond.

Are you fighting for environmental justice, but need some help? Apply to the Direct Support Fund!

See the full video and learn more at mtwatershed.com/direct-support-fund

06/01/2026

Public Meeting Alert!

June 15 at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm, Saltlick Township Municipal Building

We just learned about two public meetings scheduled with the Public Utility Commission about the sale of the Indian Creek Valley Water Authority to PA American Water, a private, for-profit company (and a subsidiary of the largest private water company in the country).

This is a chance to speak with the Public Utility Commission! You can attend and:

- Tell them how the sale could affect you, your family, and your wallet.
- Tell them if you support or oppose the sale and why.
- Ask them to make changes or add protections to keep your water service fair and affordable.

We'll have more details soon. In the meantime, please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] or call us at 724-455-4200!

06/01/2026

Find us in the Youghigheny watershed this month!

Tuesdays at 6 pm - Trail Tuesday walks on the Indian Creek Valley Trail (schedule is posted on the trail page)

June 3 - MWA will be tabling and selling merch at the Ohiopyle Summer Concert

June 4/6/8 - Volunteer trail work days on the Indian Creek Valley Trail (email [email protected] for details or visit mtwatershed.com/volunteer)

June 20 - Tabling at Wilderness Voyageurs' annual Beer & Gear Festival

June 28 - Family Field Day at Laurel Hill State Park

06/01/2026

We'd like to welcome our newest Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps member, Rachel Mitchell! Rachel will be helping our conservation and outreach teams this summer.

Rachel is a runner, hiker, skier, and angler from Champion, PA. She's super active, but her favorite activity is pretty low-key: watching her toddlers enjoy the wonders of nature. A childhood trip to one of MWA's treatment systems along Indian Creek sparked her interest in watershed restoration.

Rachel has several years of experience working in geotechnical engineering, and she's excited to bring her skills to MWA this summer!

06/01/2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is hosting several Climate Conversations this year, and they want your input!

These workshops are part of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program to help shape Pennsylvania’s future Climate Action Plan.

There will also be an Online Webinar - June 11, 2026, 12:00 PM to 01:30 PM.

Check out this form to register for virtual or in-person workshops!

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=QSiOQSgB1U2bbEf8Wpob3s018O3lYx5HkxEzUoKqkxdUNUJNWDlCTUVMVkJBQ1ZVSVc0S0s5TEJCUy4u&fbclid=IwY2xjawQ05wNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFkYmREMFhpR0xSVHRic3Buc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo4wywYPavQMeho-48Ni_CWtQPbTkd9O2Ez8MgvcOZEg8BNETpUPXFzqkPSG_aem_i6qYtrTQLrLJVXjZ8nuJDw&route=shorturl

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites you to join a Climate Conversation in your community in 2026. These workshops are part of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program and help shape Pennsylvania’s future Climate Action Plan.  Each session include...

05/29/2026

We'd like to thank Amy for an awesome term as our Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps member! Over the past year, Amy has helped us take water samples, maintain the Indian Creek Valley Trail, educate the community, promote events, and build our whitewater community on the Yough.

She's off to be a River Ranger on the Deschutes River in Oregon, where she'll patrol the river and educate the public about sustainable river recreation! We wish her the best of luck in her next adventure!