CurrentsWinter 2009

What a Difference a Year Makes!Although 2008 was one of highs and lows, the Loyalhanna Watershed Association came out on top once again, with

numerous stream rehabilitation projects, community cleanups, project grant support, and increased community involvement. Here are just a few of the many highlights from last year.

$500,000 Grant Received for Upper Latrobe ProjectLWA welcomed spring with news of a $500,000 Growing Greener II grant awarded for the construction of a passive treatment system as a continuation of the Upper Latrobe Abandoned Mine Drainage Remediation Project that began in 2004. By constructing this system, approximately 500 gallons per minute of abandoned mine drainage (AMD) from the old deep mine workings below the city of Latrobe will be treated, eliminating 300 pounds of iron oxide from entering the Loyalhanna Creek each day. Robert S. Hedin of Iron Oxide Recovery, Inc. was hired as the project designer/consultant. Construction is slated to begin in late summer 2009.

Successful Watershed - Wide CleanupsOnce again, volunteers from far and wide joined in the effort to pick up roadside litter from over 60 miles of local highways throughout the Ligonier and Latrobe communities. Over 500 participants collectively donated their Saturday mornings (both rain and shine) in the Third Annual Great Ligonier Valley Cleanup, the Second Annual Latrobe Corridor Cleanup, and River Sweep 2008. More than 900 bags of litter were accumulated, along with dumpsters filled with larger items, such as gas grills, tires, and car parts. It was another amazing season thanks to the community members, organizations, and businesses who supported and sponsored these events!

A quarterly publication by the Loyalhanna Watershed Association,

a non-profit member supported organization founded in 1971.

Inside this Issue:Winter Birdseed Sale

Youth Conservation Corps Summer Work Program

Ligonier Valley Recycling Continues!

110 Andi LaneLigonier, PA 15658

(724) 238-7560

www.loyalhannawatershed.org

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Loyalhanna Creek Trail Project Study CompletedLandscape and Community Planning Firm, Pashek Associates, completed a detailed feasibility study for the proposed Loyalhanna Creek Trail, connecting Latrobe to New Alexandria. The plan consisted of a preliminary trail design, along with construction recommendations, costs, and community benefits for a recreational hiking trail along the Loyalhanna Corridor north of Latrobe.

Stream Mitigation Project Restores Banks of the Loyalhanna

A once heavily-eroded, sediment laden stretch of the upper Loyalhanna Creek was rehabilitated thanks to a $250,000 mitigation project funded by PennDOT District 12-0. Wallace & Pancher, Inc constructed several natural features to reduce erosion and rebuild the streambank, including sawtooth deflectors, rock barbs, root wads, and log vanes. Students from Connellsville High School and Holy Trinity School put the finishing touch on the project by planting 300 trees.

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- Year in Review Continued -Streambank Rehabilitation Projects Abound

Last May - November, students, volunteers, and professionals from several environmental organizations including LWA, Trout Unlimited, Western PA Conservancy, and PA Fish & Boat Commission joined forces to combat the significant erosion issues at seven different sites throughout the upper and middle watershed. Students from Greater Latrobe Area High School experienced “real life” environmental work by designing and installing natural fish habitat and erosion control structures along a section of Nine Mile Run below the high school. Five sites along Mill Creek were also restored as part of Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited’s Mill Creek Conservation Plan, with the addition of erosion control structures and trees. Finally, a site along Zimmerman Run was the first of six sites in the Upper Loyalhanna Streambank Erosion Initiative to be repaired. Toelog cribbing and R-7 boulders were installed to alleviate the severe effects of floodwaters on the streambank.

Annual Fundraisers Pay Off!It was another successful fundraising season for LWA, with two successful birdseed sales, a record breaking Fort Ligonier Days Parking weekend, and an incredible Benefit Art Auction. Funds raised from these events directly support the many programs and conservation efforts undertaken by the Association each year. Membership support continues to remain strong, with nearly 600 active memberships. Thank you to everyone who contributes to LWA by giving money, time, or expertise to support our initiatives.

Two Creative Education Programs LaunchedLWA was pleased to offer new educational opportunities to area students through the “Trout in the Classroom” project developed and implemented in cooperation with Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited. Seventh grade students at Ligonier Valley Middle School began an eight month project to raise Brook Trout from eggs to fry, learning about the importance of cold water conservation before releasing the young fish into Linn Run. In addition, LWA developed a water education program for Idlewild and Soak Zone’s “Outdoor Classroom” education days, where students from across Pennsylvania participate in various outdoor programs while enjoying the natural resources in the park.

Ligonier Valley Recycling Program Saved!Thanks to the efforts of LWA, the Ligonier Valley Recycling Program remained in operation, despite the threat of closing on December 15, 2008. The facility’s previous hauler, Green Star - Pittsburgh, announced that it would no longer be able to handle the recyclables unless they would be compensated for hauling the materials. A new hauler, J.M.S. Recycling of Somerset, was found just in time before the facility had to close, although recyclers were asked to begin sorting their items. J.M.S. Recycling will continue to be the hauler for the Ligonier program, as long as it is feasible for them to do so.

Winter Birdseed Fundraiser

It is time to re-stock your supply of birdseed for the remaining winter months! LWA is pleased to offer a wide variety of premium seed for sale at our winter

fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2009 at the LWA Office from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Enclosed with this newsletter, please find an order form containing seed information and prices. As a result of the significant increase in the price of grain/feed, some varieties of seed will reflect this cost increase. In addition, the amount of seed we will be receiving is limited, so all pre-orders must be placed by February 11th. To pre-order your birdseed, please complete and return the enclosed form, stop by the office, or call (724) 238-7560.

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Order Your Commemorative Series Print!

“Falls at Flatrock”Rita Kambic Haldeman

LWA is pleased to offer “Falls at Flatrock” as the inaugural print in the “Scenes of the Watershed”

commemorative print series. This scene, painted by award winning local artist, Rita Kambic Haldeman, captures the summertime beauty of the Flatrock area in Linn Rock State Park. The Giclée image of the original 18” x 24” oil on canvas landscape will be available for purchase as a signed and numbered limited edition print for $100 for members and $125 for non-members, which includes an individual LWA membership.

Become A Part of LWA!

As 2009 begins, now is a great time to join or renew your membership with LWA! The Loyalhanna Watershed

Association, founded in 1971, is one of the oldest watershed protection organizations in Pennsylvania. It seeks to protect and improve the Loyalhanna Creek, its tributaries and surrounding land from the headwaters on Laurel Ridge to the point where it meets the Conemaugh River in Saltsburg, thanks to the support from members like you!

Membership levels for 2009 are:

$20 - $29 -- Individual $30 - $50 -- Family $51 - $99 -- Donor $100 - $249 -- Patron $250 - $499 -- Sponsor $500 - $999 -- Steward $1,000 + -- Benefactor

Contact LWA at (724) 238-7560 or check the address mailing label on this newsletter to determine your

membership status.Membership contributions to the Loyalhanna Watershed Association are

tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

Youth Conservation Corps ApplicationsAvailable February 1st

If you or someone you know are between the ages of 16-18 and are interested in contributing to the preservation and

restoration of the land and waters within the Loyalhanna Creek Watershed as a summer job, then the Youth Conservation Corps is for you! The 2009 YCC Program runs from June 22 - August 14, with an opportunity to work 37.5 hours per week completing projects throughout Forbes State Forest, Linn Run State Park, and the Laurel Highlands region. Crewmembers are also given the opportunity to experience several environmental education outings, including an end of summer kayak trip.

YCC accomplishes needed conservation work in the State Forest and other recreational sites, natural areas, and outdoor public facilities and trails. Throughout the program, individuals involved will develop a unique understanding and appreciation of our local natural resources. Funding for the program is provided by the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, and is under the direction of Bill Repko, veteran YCC crew leader of more than 25 years. Applications will be available in the guidance offices at Ligonier Valley, Laurel Valley, Greater Latrobe, and Derry Area High Schools, the LWA Office, and on the LWA Website, www.loyalhannawatershed.org. Completed applications must be received by LWA no later than March 30, 2009.

The 2008 YCC Crew participated in numerous educational experiences,

including electrofishing with the Western PA Conservancy.

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What a great year for LWA volunteerism! From the time our annual events began in mid-February, to when the last electronics recycling load of the year was picked up on December 29th, individuals, groups and businesses from around

the watershed pitched in to support LWA sponsored events and programs. Community and education initiatives included: Macroinvertebrate collections, The Third Annual Great Ligonier Valley Cleanup, The Second Annual Latrobe Corridor Cleanup, River Sweep 2008, Electronics Recycling, Fort Ligonier Days Parking, Ligonier Valley Community Recycling, Winter/Fall Birdseed Fundraisers, Annual Art Auction, and several other projects. LWA volunteers are truly on-of-a-kind, and the annual events offered by LWA would not be possible without their efforts. THANK YOU! If you would like to become a volunteer, complete and return the formbelow, or call (724) 238-7560.

Volunteers Matter in ‘08

BirdseedFundraiser MacroinvertebrateCollection/ID RoadsideCleanups RiverSweep LigonierValleyRecyclingArea ElectronicsRecycling FortLigonierDaysParking ArtAuctionBenefit NatureTrail/GardenMaintenance OfficeAssistance(mailings,cleaning,etc.)

Name_________________________________________ Email____________________________________

MailingAddress___________________________________________________________________________ Mail Completed Form To: PhoneNumber__________________________________ LWA, 110 Andi Lane, Ligonier, PA 15658

YES! I Am Interested in Becoming an LWA Volunteer for The Following Events...Please check as many options as you would like.

Paul&ChrisAdamsAdelphoiVillageDarlene&BruceAnthonyHenryArmstrongJeanneAshleyCorlissAukermanGreggBakichJohn&SusanBainbridgeSam&BarbaraBanalesDorisBanasDavidBennerImreBertalanTheBertilinoFamilyRussellBickerstaffGaryBlackTheBoydFamilyHugh&NancyBrallierJonathanBretchRogerBrownDavid&AprilBuckwalterMikeBuleboshTheCampbellFamilyColeenCardyDonCareyJessicaCheccaCodyClementsTammyColtHankCroftJeffCroushoreJim&JeannieCunkelmanBill&CindyDanchukCynthiaDeFlavioDerryAreaHighSchoolMatt&KatieDuffusTomDuranHodeEisemanTedEricksonTheFishFamilyDanielFingerSkipFlackRich&RoxyFlickingerJacobFoxGene&MaryGieseyBrieannGohnCathyGrahamGreaterLatrobeAreaHighSchoolPhilipGrendaGretchenGriffithPatGrossHerbGundyCraigGuzzy

MaryEllenHainesJimHammBen&JulieHelmanRick&BelindaHenryRobertHeplerHeritageU.M.ChurchYouthRowenaHimlerDarylHlavsaSteveHubaEmmaHutchinsonTheJohnstonFamilyJenniferJonesMichaelKentDaveKilgoreDaneenKinseyJeffKishWinkKnowlesBobKomoroskiJohnKozuskoKaylnKramerTheKrinockFamilyJoann&JerryKuhnTomKuhnsMikeKuzemchakPattyKunkleTheLanzoneFamilyLindaLaRueLatrobeSpecialtySteelScottLeibTheLenhartFamilyBrandonLeonattiScottLettieLigonierAgwayLigonierTownshipEmployeesLigonierValleyHighSchoolNHSCokieLindsayBobbiLoncharichBobbiLoveridgeFranLynchKathy&JimMaestroleAndyMackEdMaherMichaelMarinchakDavidMarrTheMcKlveenFamilyTheMcKnightFamilyM/MJimMeadeScottMinsterPaulaMorrowMonty&MarleneMurtyRonNeiderheiserLindsayNewill

BobbieOffTom&ChristineOmiatekJoanneOrengiaOutsideInBeverlyPalmerBillPalmerDougPalmerPatPiperThePiperFamilyThePletcherFamilyThePoerschkeFamilyRyanPodluckyLaraProvanceRhiannonRadacoskyTheRepkoFamilyJim&RachelRoehrigJaniceRossTheSarneseFamilyTheSchmuckerFamilyBethSchultheisKristinSesserJennyShawleyPatSlackDave&NikkiSmithJaneSpencerJim&LouiseSprowlsMickiStileAndyStofanTom&DeeSylvesterElanaTarzianJoyTrainerMelissaTrainerValleySchoolofLigonierTaraVittoneDaveWagusKimDickert-WallaceRaeAnnWeaverJoshWhetzelTheWhitselFamilyKristenWilkensJanetWintersShelliWolfeBillWoodhouseCaroleWright

We apologize for any errors or omissions.

A volunteer from Heritage United Methodist Church Youth Group helps clean up litter from a shopping plaza in the Second

Annual Latrobe Corridor Cleanup.

Students from Holy Trinity School add the finishing touches to the

Loyalhanna Creek Mitigation Project by planting over 100 trees.

Macroinvertebrate sampling of 10 sites in the upper watershed

is conducted each spring and fall, thanks to help from eager

volunteers.

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Recycling Continues - With Changes!

The new year began with a positive outlook for the Ligonier Valley Recycling Area, as it was announced on

December 23rd that the recycling program will continue for area recyclers, under the condition that items be sorted into the appropriate categories. What once was a “single-stream” recycling process through Green - Star Pittsburgh Recycling (all items could be recycled together in one container) has gone back to a process where recyclables must be sorted, as the new hauler for the facility, J.M.S. Recycling of Somerset, PA, does not have the equipment to undertake a single-stream operation.

It has been a month since recyclers using the Ligonier Valley Recycling Area were asked to begin sorting their recyclable items, and although things seem to be going better than expected, the new temporary recycling hauler for the program has pointed out several areas where “we need to do better.” The Loyalhanna Watershed Association would like to remind recyclers that this program could be eliminated if the following procedures are not followed:

• Aluminum cans and plastic bottles and containers should be rinsed and crushed to allow for more space in the bins• All bags and boxes MUST be emptied before adding them to the bin – even if they contain all of the same type of recyclables• Green glass is no longer accepted – only clear and brown glass jars and bottles should be recycled in the ap-propriate bin• Collapse all cardboard boxes• Beer drinkers – do not leave empty bottles or cans in the cardboard case. Empty them into the appropriate bin and crush boxes to be recycled in the paper only bin.

In addition, electronic items and household trash are not to be placed in the bins or left at the facility– this is considered illegal dumping. In just a few days, LWA staff pulled out several computer monitors, coffee pots, and power tools from the bins and picked up many bags of recyclables left unsorted by irresponsible recyclers. If the containers are full, please take your items back with you and return at a later date.

Items Should be Sorted in the Following Manner:ITEMS SHOULD BE CLEAN AND LOOSE - NOT IN BAGS OR BOXES

#1 and #2 Plastics Only Bin: Water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, soda bottles, shampoo bottles, peanut butter jars.CHECK BOTTOM OF CONTAINER FOR NUMBER.

Paper Only Bin: Newspaper, pressed cardboard, paper bags, telephone books, junk mail, catalogs, magazines, office/computer paper, corrugated cardboard, shoe boxes, cereal boxes, paper and hard back books. COLLAPSE ALL CARDBOARD!

Five Compartment Bin (Middle):#3 - #7 Plastics and Plastic Bags - Blister packs, container lids, squeezable bottles, takeout containers, medicine bottles, bottle caps. CHECK BOTTOM OF CONTAINER FOR NUMBER.

Clear and Brown Glass - Soda bottles, beer bottles, liquor and wine bottles, jelly, salsa and mayo jars, any other clear or brown glass containers. NO GREEN GLASS!

Aluminum & Bi-metal Cans - Soda and beer cans, aluminum foil, foil pie pans, soup cans, fruit and juice cans, pet food cans, tuna cans, vegetable cans.

Help keep the Ligonier Valley Recycling Area running successfully! Be responsible when you recycle and encourage others using the facility to do the same!

Save The DateFebruary 21 Winter Birdseed Sale

March 30 YCC Applications Due

April - May Spring Macro Collection

April 18 Third Annual Latrobe Corridor Cleanup; Westmoreland Earth Day

May 2 Fourth Annual Great Ligonier Valley Cleanup

May 15 Annual Dinner Meeting

We are looking for a recycling supporter to casually monitor the Ligonier Valley Recycling Area on weekends. If you or your group

would be interested in helping out each weekend or only ocassionally, contact LWA at (724) 238-7560.

Would you like to receive your next issue of “Currents” Electronically?

If you would rather read our newsletter and other

announcements via email, call our office at (724) 238-7560 to be

placed on our electronic mailing list. You will receive important updates in .pdf form, while saving paper!

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Presort StandardNon-Profit Org.

US PostagePAID

Permit No. 63Ligonier, PA

110 Andi LaneLigonier, PA 15658

Loyalhanna Watershed Association Board of Directors

President: Dr. Daryle Fish Vice-President: Dr. Hugh Brallier Treasurer: Tara Vittone Secretary: Patricia Slack Henry Armstrong Ormand Bellas Dr. Henry Croft William Danchuk Floyd Eiseman Christopher Elkus Herb Gundy William Knowles Todd Simonds Stanley Stein Josh Whetzel

LWA Staff

Drew Banas, Executive Directordbanas5@verizon.net

Susan Huba, Program Managerslhuba@verizon.net

Cathy Johnston, Office Managerlwa1@verizon.net

Contact Us

Phone: (724) 238-7560Fax: (724) 238-7681

www.loyalhannawatershed.org

Birdseed Order Form Enclosed