Abandoned mine drainage (AMD) - Challenges
Fayette County has never fully recovered after the collapse of the coal and coke industries in the 1950s. Areas in the Greater Redstone watershed have been coal mined for generations, and many residents are not aware that past mining processes have created problems in their environment. Many watershed residents are not aware that the problems can be corrected, and do not have the funds to correct the problems. For many individuals, the sheer fact that the problems have existed as far as anyone can remember results in an attitude of acceptance. Apathy, indifference, ignorance, and defeatism are all among the human challenges facing any group like GRCI that is trying to make a positive difference.
Abandoned coal mines are responsible for releasing great quantities of pollutants into the environment. The orange cast in the stream to the left is caused by an iron rust-like compound commonly called yellow boy coating the stream bed. This pollution makes Redstone Creek uninhabitable by fish and aquatic life and makes it very undesirable for recreational uses. This massive discharge near the village of Phillips (a few miles north of Uniontown) emanates from old mine workings that have long since been abandoned... yet the pollution keeps coming.
AMD is a fairly complicated topic, to learn more about AMD, click here. This is a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. If you do not have PowerPoint installed on your computer, you need to download PowerPoint Viewer to view this presentation. The presentation file is 4.05 MB and will take some time to download on slower connections.
Click here to read about solutions to AMD and how GRCI is working to implement them.
Irresponsible acts like illegal dumping are a blight on the environment. Trash piles are aesthetically unappelaing and show a lack of respect for our environment and community. Moreover, pollution, including toxic chemicals, paint, motor oil, and other waste components, from the garbage winds up in the streams causing further water degradation. Site like these not only need to be cleaned up, but need to be monitored to minimize future acts of illegal dumping.
Cick here to read about solutions to litter and illegal dumping and how GRCI is working to implement them.
Sewage discharges - Challenges
Inadequate and improperly managed on-lot sewage systems lead to discharge of raw sewage into area waterways in many locations. In addition, some houses are still equipped with "straight pipes" that essentially flush toilets directly into the stream. Combined storm water and sanitary sewers were responsible for similar pollution to our watershed. However, the City of Uniontown recently undertook a major initiative to separate all combined sewers in the city. The GRCI applauds this effort, but realizes that there are still many sewage infrastructure issues that must be dealt with in our watershed.
Click here to read about solutions to sewage discharges and how GRCI is working to implement them.
Agricultural runoff - Challenges
There are many potential water pollution sources associated with agriculture. Application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals can create polluted runoff that enters area waterways. Livestock operations require proper management to prevent runoff of animal waste into streams and creeks. Livestock also can create erosion and sedimentation problems as described below.
Click here to read about solutions to agricultural runoff and how GRCI is working to implement them.
Urban and suburban runoff - Challenges
Urban, suburban, and other developed areas in the Greater Redstone watershed have their own water pollution problems associated with them. Gas stations, parking lots, and automobiles can release oil and other petroleum products that wash into streams and creeks during rainfall and snowmelt events. Residential pollution can occur from fertilizer, pesticide, and herbicide application to lawns. Polluted runoff can occur due to individuals washing their cars in improper ways with rinse water washing into waterways. Waste from pets creates polluted runoff as well.
Click here to read about solutions to urban and suburban runoff and how GRCI is working to implement them.
Improper stormwater management - Challenges
With development comes installation of impervious surfaces, such as paved roads, parking lots, sidewalks, and buildings. These structures take the place of natural surfaces that allow drainage of precipitation into soils. In addition, developed areas often channelize natural stream channels using culverts or other techniques, which separate streams from their natural floodplains. As a result, developed areas often created increased volumes of runoff during rainfall and snowmelt events. This excess stormwater must be properly managed to prevent flooding and erosion.
Click here to read about solutions to improper storm water management and how GRCI is working to implement them.
Erosion and sedimentation - Challenges
Erosion and sedimentation are natural processes. However, human influences often lead to increased rates of erosion and sedimentation that stress natural systems, especially streams. Increased erosion can lead to build up of sediment in stream channels and degradation of water quality. This excess sedimentation can carry pollutants into the streams, suffocate aquatic life, and destroy critical habitat from many forms of aquatic life.
Click here to read about solutions to erosion and sedimentation and how GRCI is working to implement them.
