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The Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance
By GreenWorks Assistant Producer, Dave Beste
 had never been to "Coal Country" before visiting
Jim Koharski and Patrick Kazmerski of the Shamokin Creek Restoration
Alliance, SCRA, in late April. I remember sitting in my car
just before everyone began to arrive for a stream cleanup
that had been organized, and all I could think of was how
much colder the temperature seemed to be than back home. But
the cold intimidating weather that started off our morning
soon broke, and after some mingling, coffee to warm up, and
doughnuts to feed the large turnout of people, it was time
to get to work.
he day began with a ceremony recognizing some of the instrumental
members of SCRA and their work, and a few words of encouragement
from DEP Secretary David Hess.
number of different groups showed up to help with the
cleanup. A majority of which were children, which gives
the hope of a bright future for SCRA. At the end of
the day, a day that turned out to be quite sunny and
pleasant despite the forecast, the crew had pulled nearly
15 tons of trash from the creek. It wasn't just bottles
and plastic bags either. They amassed quite a collection
of bicycles, Christmas trees, strollers, and even a
snowboard.
 ound
in the heart of "Coal Country", the history
of Shamokin has been largely dictated by the mining
industry. The area's watershed has been heavily damaged
by years of AMD and other pollutants, killing off fish
and plant life, and turning the waterways yellow and
white.
few
of us were given a tour of the watershed and shown just
a few of the nearly sixty AMD sites throughout it. The
SCRA has worked for many
years combating the ill affects of mining in the area
and their work is beginning to pay off. SCRA has begun
to implement their vision for their watershed by changing
the once heavily polluted areas into educational centers,
treatment centers, and restoring the purity of the beautiful
landscape.
 hat is
most impressive, beyond the work that SCRA has done, is
their intense sense of loyalty for their home. Many of
the members have strong family roots in the area and refused
to just accept the once popular belief that nothing could
be done. They have an understanding of the history of
the area and are determined to return it to its natural
unpolluted environment.
he
work ahead of SCRA is not easy, but many did not think
they would make it this far. The hard work and committed
people that have dedicated their life to the resurgence
of their watershed have proved to be the difference.
 ongratulations
to the SCRA and the people of Shamokin for how far they
have come and for how far they will go.
For more information about the Shamokin Creek Restoration
Alliance please check out their web site:
http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/kirby/SCRABlurb.html
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