Earth Conservancy receives $17.5M grant for restoration of Nanticoke Creek

Terry Ostrowski, President/CEO of Earth Conservancy, on Monday said the organization has been awarded a more than $17.5 million grant to support restoration of the upper reaches of the Nanticoke Creek watershed.

Ostrowski said the grant, provided by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) through its Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage (AML/AMD) Grant Program, underscores a collaborative effort to restore waterways and ecosystems in the anthracite region, many of which still suffer the damages left from legacy coal mining.

“This grant will ensure Earth Conservancy can accomplish our goal of reconnecting the Nanticoke Creek headwaters to allow flow to once again reach the downstream areas of the watershed, while eliminating a major source of water to the underground mine pools which resurfaces as Acid Mine Drainage in the lower reaches of Nanticoke Creek,” Ostrowski said. “The grant highlights the partnerships and support we have had with federal and state agencies, as well as local municipalities and conservation organizations, without whom we could not have been able to accomplish such successful projects.

“We hope that this work, which aims to promote aquatic habitat throughout the watershed, which had been severely impacted by decades of mining activities, will be seen as the legacy of Earth Conservancy and its long history of abandoned mine land reclamation in the Wyoming Valley.”

Overview

Located in the City of Nanticoke, Hanover and Newport townships, and Warrior Run Borough, the Nanticoke Creek Watershed is a small, 8.2 square mile sub-watershed of the Susquehanna River Basin.

It has numerous impairments due to legacy anthracite coal mining, including obstructions, flow loss, dry streambeds, and AMD discharges.

In fact, only 30% of the streams in the watershed have the hydrological, ecological, and aesthetic qualities/functions of a natural stream.

Over the past several years, Earth Conservancy has worked with a team of consultants and agencies to develop a comprehensive plan to restore the historic alignment of the upper portions of the Nanticoke Creek.

Work will begin near Clarks Cross Road and progress upstream, addressing impairments on the main stem and both tributaries — the Upper Nanticoke and Leuder Creeks.

In total, nearly 15,000 linear feet of permanent stream and floodway improvements are planned.

General activities will include grading, channel lining and stabilization, reconstruction using natural channel design, and planting of a riparian buffer.

Specifically, restoration activities will include:

Nanticoke Creek – Main Stem

• New alignment for Nanticoke Creek at Clarks Cross Road

• New water conveyance structure at South Main Street

Leuder Creek

• New culvert at Hanover Street

• Removal of Leuder Creek dam

• Replacement of reservoir with natural channel and shallow overflow ponds

• Replacement of buried culvert and deteriorated bridge with new culvert

Nanticoke Creek – Upper Reach

• Replacement of culvert on Hanover Street

• Elimination of existing obstruction and replacement with open channel

• Removal of bridge and stone arch from path of stream

• Re-establishment of channel based on historic alignment to reconnect upper and lower watersheds

• Buried railroad tunnel to be reopened and lined with smaller culvert

• Restoration of deteriorated masonry arch with slip lining

As a whole, Ostrowski said the Nanticoke Creek project offers both hydrological and ecological benefits.

“Increasing channel capacity and stabilizing banks will reduce erosion, sedimentation, and the risk of flooding, which will safeguard infrastructure,” Ostrowski said. “Moreover, as the channel will be lined, water loss underground into the mine pools will be prevented, thereby decreasing AMD pollution downstream. Natural channel design and new riparian zones will enhance these effects, plus provide habitat to advance biodiversity and ecological balance.”

In June 2023, Ostrowski said Earth Conservancy was notified it had received a $1,956,427 Brownfields Cleanup grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for the first phases of the project.

The $17.5 million AML grant award from PADEP will enable Earth Conservancy to complete the project in whole.

The NCW project follows on the successful completion of the restoration of Espy Run, another tributary to the Nanticoke Creek. For that project, also supported by PADEP and USEPA, over 6,000 linear feet was reconstructed, re-establishing a connection from the stream’s headwaters at the Hanover Reservoir to its middle reach.

John Stefanko, Deputy Secretary, PA DEP Office of Active & Abandoned Mine Operations, offered comments about the project and Earth Conservancy.

“Earth Conservancy has already proved it can successfully complete impactful work after its completion of restoring Espy Run,” Stefanko said. “The PA Department of Environmental Protection appreciates the opportunity to once again work with the Conservancy who will continue to exceed in its environmental healing efforts, this time by restoring the Nanticoke Creek and its ecosystems damaged from legacy coal mining.”

Stefanko said Pennsylvania has a rich history of mining, but abandoned pre-1977 coal mines leave behind a blighted landscape and environmental damage.

“That’s why it is important now more than ever to break this coal mining legacy, restore Pennsylvania’s beauty, and support surrounding communities,” Stefanko said. “This federal funding awarded by DEP to the Earth Conservancy is crucial in accomplishing that mission.”

State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, said, “Because of the long mining history in our region, we continue a concerted effort to reclaim scarred lands and restore polluted streams.”

Baker said the Nanticoke Creek restoration project is a tremendous collaboration between environmental advocacy groups, community leaders and officials, and state government.

“Productive land re-use creates jobs and helps build the economic base,” Baker said. “Land and stream improvements provide a better quality of life, open up opportunities for recreation and relaxation, and help reduce pollution problems downstream. This positive outcome is a tribute to considerable foresight, planning, and the combination of public and private investment.”

State Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Plymouth, added, “This project goes a long way in cleaning up mine-scarred land in Hanover Township. When completed it will enhance the land and the environment for the community.”