December 23, 2001
Tribune-Review
Golden working to ensure environmental reclamation
By Jerry Storey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Bruce Golden wants western Pennsylvania residents to become more aware of the environment around them.
As the new regional coordinator of the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, he sees an important part of his job as helping to educate various "publics," from elementary school children, to college students, to local officials, about the devastating legacy of old mining practices.
"Because the problems were created so long ago and became part of the environment, people accept them," Golden said.
The damage includes the accumulation of coal waste gob piles and other scars to the landscape, but the most serious problems rest in the pollution of watersheds, the drainage areas and fonts of life for the waterways that course through the region.
Although many refer to the pollution to waterways caused by old mines as acid mine drainage, Golden prefers the term abandoned mine drainage since it covers a multitude of problems.
One prominent example is the iron pyrite in mine voids that reacts with the water and air to form "yellowboy" drainage that Golden said "coats the bottom of streams and smothers life."
Based out of the Westmoreland Conservation District office in Greensburg, WPCAMPR was formed in 1982 by a coalition of 13 county conservation districts in response to federal efforts to cut funding for the Rural Abandoned Mine Program. Since then the coalition has grown to include 25 conservation districts and watershed associations, and to encompass a broader mission.
WPCAMPR was part of the Loyalhanna Creek Mine Drainage Coalition that installed a system of wetlands to treat abandoned mine drainage in Monastery Run, near Latrobe. It was the agency behind Project Gob Pile, the effort in Westmoreland County to create a statewide model for the removal of the small mountains of mine refuse. WPCAMPR also took the lead in the ongoing effort to form the Ohio River Watershed Alliance to champion the 15,600-square-mile watershed basin.
With the state's Growing Greener initiative, there is a new emphasis on watersheds and grant money available to help fund remediations.
But Golden said government can't do the job alone in Pennsylvania.
"When you take a broad perspective it's estimated there are 15 or 16 billion (dollars) with a 'B' in problems to correct as a result of old mining practices," Golden pointed out. "The problem is simply too big for government. There will never be enough public dollars."
Part of the solution will have to come from the mining industry.
Golden said, for example, that industry can re-mine abandoned coal areas that are causing problems and fill in the voids. While mining is still invasive, modern techniques are nothing like the poor practices of the past, he said.
He also lauded such advances as the use of waste coal in cogeneration of electricity.
Although the cleanup of the land and water is a huge undertaking, Golden emphasized that there is also good news.
"In many ways our streams are getting better," Golden said. "We understand the processes better. We know how to take care of those problems."
He said that new techniques to address the pollution have been developed that weren't available a decade ago.
"What people have discovered is nature has some very good ways of treating this stuff," Golden said. "You try to imitate nature or improve on her way of doing things."
Golden, 51, brings a unique set of qualifications to his position. A Fayette County native, he noted that he "comes from a coal mining family." His father worked for a time as a mine electrician and the family lived in the former coal patch of Continental No. 3, near Uniontown.
But Golden pursued a degree in chemistry at Pennsylvania State University and earned his master's degree at Iowa State in Ames. He also became a largely self-taught computer specialist.
He had a successful career in laboratory automation in the Washington, D.C., area. Golden designed software for automated instruments in a field he described as "a meld of chemistry, computer science and electronics."
Family matters brought Golden back to Fayette County in 1994, where he later met his wife, Carol.
Golden became the first executive director of Fayette Forward, the public/private partnership to draw up and implement a strategic plan to move Fayette County ahead.
It was while he was at Fayette Forward that Golden became interested in cleaning up watersheds. One "pet project" he was involved in was a limestone treatment at Glade Run. Golden also volunteered for such efforts as the Greater Redstone Clearwater Initiative.
"He has the fire burning in his heart to do this kind of work," said Greg Phillips, executive director of the Westmoreland Conservation District and WPCAMR treasurer.
After leaving Fayette Forward, Golden taught computer classes at both the Fayette and McKeesport campuses of Pennsylvania State University.
Golden plans to put his computer skills to good use at WPCAMPR by utilizing Geographic Information Systems for planning. He is also developing a Web site inventory of watersheds.
Philips said Golden has the planning and organization skills the coalition needs in this period of growth. He said Golden is building rapport with the board and all the conservation districts.
Golden succeeded Mark Killar, who had been the region coordinator for seven years before accepting a position as restoration specialist with the Watershed Assistance Center operated by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy at Bear Run. Golden said WPCAMR lost a wealth of experience when Killar left and it would be hard to fill his shoes.
"I think he will do a fine job," Killar said.
In addition to his planning and technical skills, Killar said Golden has "the right disposition to work with people."
Golden recently added to his skills in working with young people. He completed a master's degree in education from California University of Pennsylvania, which included a stint student teaching at Laurel Highlands High School.
The subject of Golden's master thesis was a look at "The Connellsville Coke Region," and "Society's Interdependence on the Environment. "
