View of passive wetland treatment system built on Bear Rock Run east of Borough of Lilly, This is an oversized system treating mine drainage from an abandoned clay mine. Flow from the mine is as much as 100 gallons per minute. The first pond is a shallow oxidation basin. The red color is iron precipitate. Treatment is primarily by surface contact with oxygen. The second and third ponds are deeper and have organic substrates for biochemical reactions. A final polishing pond filled with limestone rocks is not visible.

Project Sponsor is the Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority.The Project is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of land and Water Conservation. Project participants are National Work Study Program, Americorps, USDA Soil Conservation Service, Lilly Borough, Highland Sewer & Water Authority, Washington Township, Cooney Bros Coal Co., Lilly Civic Association, Bear Rock Sportsmen and the Benscreek Sportsmans Club.

The Project includes 2.5 acres of passive wetlands and limestone polishing ponds at two sites, a limestone trench, stream bank restoration and a 3+ mile long walking trail.

This Project has been accomplished very economically. Cooney Brothers Coal Comapny provided approximately a month work of heavy bulldozer work constructing treatment ponds as a donation to what is the first passive treatment system in the County. The Washington Township Supervisors have provided assistance with access road construction, anoxic trench construction and trail construction. The Authority reimburses payroll cost and provides the material, the township is donating equipment and feul. Click here for pictures and descriptions of the township work.

SCRIP Thanks the Pennsyvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Land and Water Conservation and USEPA Region 3 for funding and and technical assistance. This project was authorized under section 319 of the Clean Water Act.

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