The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) has recently announced a $30,000 investment in the Cold Stream Watershed located in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. This grant comes from the OSMRE's Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program, which aims to reduce pollution in various watersheds across the country.

The funds will be used to clean up the Mine Drift water treatment system, a project of the Moshannon Creek Watershed Association (MCWA). This treatment system is part of MCWA's efforts to rehabilitate mine drainage systems in the Cold Stream. Eric Rosengrant, president of MCWA, expressed his excitement about the grant, stating that it will serve as a demonstration to the community on how to address the issue of acid mine drainage.

The Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) is a program under the OSMRE that provides funds to small watershed organizations. The maximum grant amount for acid mine drainage reclamation projects is typically $100,000. Pennsylvania has seen previous projects completed under this program, such as the installation of a passive treatment system in Elk County by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Tom Shope, OSMRE Regional Director, emphasized the importance of watersheds for communities, as they provide water for various purposes. The WCAP funds aim to support citizen-based conservation in coal communities and restore watersheds affected by abandoned mine lands. The Mine Drift water treatment system is expected to clean 7.88 million gallons of mine water annually, benefiting the Cold Stream area known for its recreational activities and fishing opportunities. The Moshannon Creek Watershed Association is dedicated to improving the water quality of the Moshannon Creek and its tributaries, which have been impacted by abandoned coal and clay mine drainage.