Edward M. Wytovich
Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association
12 Paul St. Ashland, PA 17921
(570) 875-3993 WYTOVICHE@udasd.k12.pa.us

Environmental Results:

Created a 4-acre wetland to treat acid mine drainage.

Established seven watershed organizations in the anthracite region.

Protection & Restoration
Edward M. Wytovich

From Orange to Clear, Wetlands Heal the Ills of Acid Mine Drainage

A middle school teacher and seasoned environmentalist, Edward M. Wytovich has been teaching kids about the environment for years. He also has been at the forefront of establishing seven watershed associations in the anthracite region and was one of the founders and president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. He currently serves as the president of the Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association and several others.

Ed's latest accomplishment is the "Swamp," a four-acre wetland constructed on family property for the treatment of acid mine drainage in Mahanoy Creek. Draining an area of more than 340 square miles, Mahanoy Creek is heavily polluted and laden with iron-bearing abandoned mine discharges. Under Ed's leadership, and with funding from one of DEP's Watershed Restoration and Partnership Act grants, the Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association constructed the Swamp as a series of two wetland settling ponds. Five to 10 percent of the creek's polluted water is diverted through the new wetlands, which filters the pollutant-laden water, slowing the stream flow velocity and allowing the suspended pollutants time to settle out of the stream. By the time the water flows through the wetlands and out of the second pond, the water is clear when it rejoins the stream.

The Swamp is the first phase of a four-part project that will create 15 acres of wetlands, providing passive treatment for much of the water flowing through Mahanoy Creek. Signs of success are already visible; in fall 2000, electrofishing downstream from the Swamp indicated the presence of 12 different species of fish, including small-mouthed bass, rock bass, northern hognosed suckers, black-nosed dace and shiners.

Through Ed's efforts, the first Saturday in June was proclaimed Rivers Day in Pennsylvania to kick off Rivers Month. Ed hopes that Rivers Day will become nationally and internationally recognized and celebrated.

" We dedicate our work not only to ourselves and our children, but also to the generations yet to come."
Edward M. Wytovich
Middle School Teacher