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The Swamp
Protection & Restoration Edward M. Wytovich
From Orange to Clear, Wetlands Heal the Ills of Acid Mine Drainage
middle school teacher and seasoned environmentalist, Edward
M. Wytovich has been teaching kids about the environment for
years. He also has been at the forefront of establishing seven
watershed associations in the anthracite region and was one
of the founders and president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition
for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. He currently serves as the president
of the Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association and several others.
 d's
latest accomplishment is the "Swamp," a four-acre wetland
constructed on family property for the treatment of acid mine
drainage in Mahanoy Creek. Draining an area of more than 340
square miles, Mahanoy Creek is heavily polluted and laden with
iron-bearing abandoned mine discharges. Under Ed's leadership,
and with funding from one of DEP's Watershed Restoration and
Partnership Act grants, the Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association
constructed the Swamp as a series of two wetland settling ponds.
Five to 10 percent of the creek's polluted water is diverted
through the new wetlands, which filters the pollutant-laden
water, slowing the stream flow velocity and allowing the suspended
pollutants time to settle out of the stream. By the time the
water flows through the wetlands and out of the second pond,
the water is clear when it rejoins the stream.
he Swamp is the first phase of a four-part project that will
create 15 acres of wetlands, providing passive treatment for
much of the water flowing through Mahanoy Creek. Signs of success
are already visible; in fall 2000, electrofishing downstream
from the Swamp indicated the presence of 12 different species
of fish, including small-mouthed bass, rock bass, northern hognosed
suckers, black-nosed dace and shiners.
hrough Ed's efforts, the first Saturday in June was proclaimed
Rivers Day in Pennsylvania to kick off Rivers Month. Ed hopes
that Rivers Day will become nationally and internationally recognized
and celebrated.
" We dedicate our work not only to ourselves and our
children, but also to the generations yet to come."
Edward M. Wytovich
Middle School Teacher
For more information about Ed Wytovich and the Mahanoy Creek
Watershed Association, check out the GreenWorks spotlight on
the Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship at: http://www.greenworks.tv/watershedawards/wytovich.asp
Be sure to check out the Watershed Weekly Archives for October 16th to see even more about the Stewardship awardees, including Ed Wytovich.
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