April 16, 1999
Tribune-Review
Redstone Clearwater Initiative launched
By Jerry Storey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Looking past the garbage and pollution, North Union Township dairy farmer John Piwowar said he can envision Redstone Creek as a trout stream.
Piwowar is the temporary chairman of the Redstone Clearwater Initiative, the effort to clean up the watersheds for Redstone, Little Redstone and Dunlap creeks and Downers Run.
Redstone Creek and its drainage area covers all or parts of the townships of Brownsville, Dunbar, Franklin, Jefferson, Menallen, North Union, Redstone, South Union and Washington, as well as Uniontown.
A wide-ranging coalition of state and local officials, environmentalists and residents began meeting last year to enhance the watershed.
A water-quality sampling the group took during low-flow conditions in the summer showed both mine drainage and a high level of sewage pollution.
Following a number of meetings over the winter, the group last week presented its mission statement and initial structure. It also announced plans for a high-flow study of watersheds April 27.
Piwowar said the new association is committed to educational outreach and to making the watershed an economic viable source of pride to the community.
The association is in the process of incorporating as a nonprofit agency and has received financial assistance from the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation.
