Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance

Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance A 501c3 working to remediate effects of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and restore Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) in Shamokin Creek Watershed

The Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance is an organization dedicated to restoring the Shamokin Creek to a more natural state. What is Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)? AMD is the result of exposure of pyrite to water and oxygen. Pyrite is associated with coal deposits and past mining exposed to weathering, releasing iron, other metals and acid to ground and surface waters. When the mines were abandoned th

e water table rose, allowing the tainted water to reach the surface. Upon reaching the surface the iron converts to iron hydroxide (yellow boy), which settles on the bottom of the streams choking out most aquatic life. Today, miners and coal operators must comply with more strict government law and regulations, so little AMD results from active mines today. The AMD problem in the Shamokin Creek Watershed is almost exclusively from abandoned mines. There is no responsible party to clean up the polluted waters. The cleanup of abandoned mines thus falls to local citizens, businesses, and local, state, and federal governments. We need to take action right now to reduce AMD and treat as many of the sources of contamination to the watershed and it's waterways. AMD can be treated by active and passive methods, and the SCRA consults with experts to design appropriate treatments to reduce the acidity and remove metals from our water. All membership dues and donations received by SCRA are used for community outreach programs and expenses. SCRA officials are not paid for their services.

Non-profits, businesses, crafters, and food vendors wanted!
05/28/2026

Non-profits, businesses, crafters, and food vendors wanted!

Join GoShamokin as we celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary with a community celebration in the heart of Shamokin.

05/22/2026

Thanks to Anthony Bordanaro from WNEP-TV for spending a little time in the Shamokin Creek watershed yesterday. SCRA President, Steve Motyka, spent a couple hours with Anthony showing him the AMD issues in our area and discussing some of our active projects. It was great hosting Anthony yesterday and we appreciate WNEP for highlighting this significant issue that exists across all of Pennsylvania’s coal regions.

“The adult deer tick population is about 50% higher than it was two years ago. And the PA Department of Health is seeing...
05/13/2026

“The adult deer tick population is about 50% higher than it was two years ago. And the PA Department of Health is seeing a record high number of emergency room visits related to tick bites.”

It’s time to talk ticks.

The DEP Tick Surveillance and Testing Program actively collects both nymphal and adult ticks this time of year. And they have some interesting early findings.

The adult deer tick population is about 50% higher than it was two years ago. And the PA Department of Health is seeing a record high number of emergency room visits related to tick bites.

Here are some pro-tips and precautions to reduce tick bites:
👕Wear light-colored clothing - it makes it easier to see ticks that may be crawling on your clothing.
🧦Tuck your shirt into your pants, and your pants into your socks - it helps keep ticks on top of your clothing and off your skin and will increase the likelihood of you seeing the tick before it can attach.
🔎Conduct tick checks while outside, and after returning home to reduce the chances of being bitten by ticks.
🚿Shower after returning home to wash off ticks that are still crawling on the skin.
🧺Put clothing in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any remaining ticks.
🛡 Use EPA approved repellents that can be sprayed onto your clothing, like products containing DEET or permethrin, to repel and kill any ticks that you encounter.

If you're bitten by a tick, it is important to remove it as soon as possible. The longer a tick is attached increases the likelihood of contracting a tickborne disease. Here's how 👇
· Use fine tipped tweezers or a tick key for removal.
· Grasp the tick at its head or as close to the skin surface as possible.
· Pull upward with steady and even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick.
· After thoroughly removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, or soap and water.
· Monitor for flulike symptoms and consult your physician with questions.

Meeting agenda for Tuesday, April 14. Meetings are held at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. A Zoom link is availab...
05/11/2026

Meeting agenda for Tuesday, April 14. Meetings are held at the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. A Zoom link is available for those unable to attend in person. Contact me directly if you’d like the link.

05/06/2026
05/05/2026

The District is happy to announce that we will once again be holding a FREE kids Conservation Summer Camp from June 22-June 24. Kids from ages 8-14 are encouraged to register. The Camp will run from 9am - 3pm each day. Limited Space is available and the deadline to register is June 12, 2026. To register please see the picture below.

The camp will include: Equipment Demonstrations, Farm Animal Visits, Nature Walks/Plant Identification, Scavenger Hunts for Wildlife, Interactive Water Tables, Stream Visit, Master Gardeners Presentation, and an Optional Field Trip.

SCRA Director, Mike Molesevich, will hold a presentation on Herndon’s history, utilizing Sanborn Maps. The Mahanoy and M...
05/03/2026

SCRA Director, Mike Molesevich, will hold a presentation on Herndon’s history, utilizing Sanborn Maps.

The Mahanoy and Mahantongo Historical & Preservation Society invites the public to attend on Tuesday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 2354 Route 225, Herndon (17830).

Molesevich will describe how to research and interpret Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, which are color, to-scale, hand drawn maps of buildings, train stations, coal yards, silk mills, railroads, canals, businesses, and industries.

Sanborn Maps of Herndon., Dalmatia., and Port Trevorton from 1913 and 1929 will be shown and discussed. The program is one hour with discussion, questions. and display of an original 1925 Sanborn Fire Insurance map.

Mike used Sanborn Maps for over 35 years to research industry history for conducting environmental due diligence for real estate transactions and financing.

The meeting is free and open to the public.
Refreshments will be served.

Calling all nonprofit organizations in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder Counties!Senator Lynda Sch...
04/29/2026

Calling all nonprofit organizations in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder Counties!

Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver is hosting a Non-Profit Grant Seminar on Thursday, May 14, from 9–11 a.m. at The Barn at Frosty Valley in Danville.

Registration is required by Friday, May 1.

Register online at https://senatorculver.com/psrc-events/nonprofit-grant-seminar-051426/ or by calling the Shamokin Dam district office at 570-743-1918.

Calling all nonprofit organizations in Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder Counties!

Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver is hosting a Non-Profit Grant Seminar on Thursday, May 14, from 9–11 a.m. at The Barn at Frosty Valley in Danville.

This seminar is designed for nonprofit organizations and constituents in the 27th Senatorial District and will cover:
◾ How to research grant opportunities
◾ Tips and best practices for successful grant applications
◾ Resources available through government, foundation, corporate, and institutional funders
◾A Q&A session with the PA Senate’s Funding & Resource Specialist

Please note that this seminar is designed primarily for registered 501(c)(3) organizations. While nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status are welcome to attend, most grant opportunities discussed will require that designation.

Registration is required by Friday, May 1.

Register online at https://senatorculver.com/psrc-events/nonprofit-grant-seminar-051426/ or by calling the Shamokin Dam district office at 570-743-1918.

04/29/2026

Drilling at the site of our Big Mountain reclamation project. Core samples were collected from various locations and depths across the refuse bank. Samples have been sent off to a lab for testing. The refuse will be tested for BTU value, among other factors, to determine suitability for burning at a Cogen facility.

Funding for this project has been provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

We’ve had a lot of activity over the last week at the site of our Big Mountain reclamation project. Eichelberger’s Inc w...
04/29/2026

We’ve had a lot of activity over the last week at the site of our Big Mountain reclamation project. Eichelberger’s Inc was on-site with a drilling team to collect core samples from various locations and depths across the refuse bank. A rep from our engineering consultant, Tetra Tech, was also at the site to oversee operations and assist with the sample collections. Drilling wrapped up yesterday afternoon and samples have been sent off to a lab for testing. The refuse will be tested for BTU value, among other factors, to determine suitability for burning at a Cogen facility. The results of this testing will determine how we move forward with the reclamation process.

Funding for this project has been provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

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PO Box 263
Mount Carmel, PA
17851

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