As the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association acquires ground at mine drainage sites to facilitate the installation of remediation measures, a side benefit is developing, notes association board member Bob Hepler.
The 100 some acres that have been acquired are also home to a variety of wildlife. "We are definitely seeing a wildlife preserve developing," says Hepler.
"The most recent activity observed has been tree felling, apparently by a beaver family that has moved into the Brinkerton complex," he reports. On a recent outing to the site with fellow board member Mark Killar, Hepler said they spotted a downed tree trunk that had been stripped of its branches. The large aspen, located behind the coke oven complex, "was 30 to 40 feet high and 8 to 9 inches in diameter," he estimates.
The beavers themselves were not spotted on that trip.
In another part of the watershed, Hepler points out that there is a fresh water pond hidden in the swamp above the Hecla bridge. That area "is home to raccoon, possum, mink, muskrats, a variety of waterfowl -- including the Great Blue Heron &endash; and naturally, deer have roamed the area continually."
With wildlife prospering in the area, future walkers along a proposed Rails to Trails hiking path between Youngwood and Mammoth should have plenty flora and fauna to observe along the way.
As such the Association shall use its resources to educate the citizens of the watershed as to sound environmental practices. In addition, the Association will seek out and cooperate with government agencies, interested organizations, businesses and individuals to implement programs to improve water quality and encourage proper land use.