May 12, 2005
Herald Standard
Volunteers monitoring water quality in Redstone
Creek
The volunteer team is part of the Monongahela River Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps (MR PaSEC), an organization dedicated to using the environmental ethic, expertise and commitment of older people to expand citizen involvement in protecting and caring for the environment. While the program is directed toward senior volunteers, interested individuals of all ages are encouraged to participate.
The team consists of five volunteers: Arthur Bucchianeri of Belle Vernon; Fred Clausner of Perryopolis; Roy Giovannelli, the team leader, of Perryopolis; David Olinzock of Star Junction; and Joe Walko of Belle Vernon.
The team is working in conjunction with the Greater Redstone Clearwater Initiative (GRCI). GRCI plans to use the data collected by the volunteers to better understand pollution sources in the Redstone Creek watershed and develop remediation projects to alleviate the pollution.
One of the major purposes of the overall MR PaSEC water-monitoring project is to establish a valid, baseline history of waterways draining to the Monongahela River. Through MR PaSEC, senior volunteers and students monitor the chemical, physical and biological health of selected stream sites, including an intensive habitat assessment, which helps provide a holistic view of the streams.
GRCI and MR PaSEC plan to organize and train other volunteer teams to monitor elsewhere in the watershed, in an effort to expand the monitoring effort.
For more information or to get involved, call Brian Chalfant with GRCI at 724-984-7758, e-mail bchalfant@yahoo.com) or visit the GRCI Web site - www.grci.org.
