2004 WAM Blog
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Passing A Resolution for Abandoned Mine Land Funding
Has your watershed group ever taken the opportunity to advocate politically for a water resource related cause? If not, POWR has a good opportunity to expand your groups base of activity and help ensure future funding for on-the-ground watershed projects that most groups really want to spend time on. Why not get together at your next meeting in May, or get together at any other event that your group may be involved with in May, and pass the resolution for the Abandoned Mine Land Fund 2004 Reauthorization?
PLEASE ACT TO SECURE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE FEDERAL ABANDONED MINE LANDS FUND
September 2004 marks a critical time for watershed protection in Pennsylvania. This is when the federal authorization of the Abandoned Mine Land Trust Fund will expire, leaving Pennsylvania without the nearly $24 Million annually received from the fund. Threats to human health and the environment will increase as thousands of abandoned coal mines go unabated and untreated in Pennsylvania due to a lack of monies for these efforts.
Additional focus for the need of reauthorizing the fund has been provided by American Rivers, which has named the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, headwaters to the Ohio River, as it’s 5th Most Endangered Rivers (http://amriversaction.ctsg.com/action/). The Pennsylvania portions of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers together comprise 31,945 stream miles and cover 15,614 square miles, or approximately one-third of the state. These rivers and aquifers provide drinking water for 3.5 million Pennsylvania residents.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW. Have your Watershed Organization support Congress in reauthorizing this historic environmental cleanup effort. Pass the sample resolution in support of the reauthorization (available at http://www.pawatersheds.org/aml2004.asp , and send to POWR at Abandoned Mine Land Resolution 2004, 610 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-1113. We will coordinate with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to provide these to government officials and leaders in congress. Thank You.
