For those of us that have grown up in the area, the importance of preserving Dunkard Creek has grown on us. It’s not just a matter of doing the right thing for the environment; it’s a matter of doing the right thing for future generations.

Dunkard Creek, as a major part of the Greene County watershed, is a strong indicator of the health of our waters and our land. Perhaps just as importantly, it’s also a strong indicator of the health of our community. While the lower portion of Dunkard Creek from Taylortown to Poland Mines has been deadened by decades of acid mine drainage, our community remains strong. A diverse coalition of 76 partners from Pennsylvania and West Virginia are working collaboratively to restore watershed health. Our Friends include:

• Local landowners

• Business owners

• Community members

• Local, state, and federal government agencies

• Nonprofit organizations

Dunkard Creek, a major tributary of the Monongahela River, drains a rural 235 square mile watershed within nine townships in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and three districts in Monongalia County, West Virginia. The river is classified as a warm water fishery and historically supports a variety of fish, including smallmouth bass, sunfish, and muskellunge in all but the lower 6.2 miles, which have been devastated by abandoned mine drainage.

As a result of the loss of wildlife, we have lost a way of life, too. By restoring the lower 6.2 mile section of Dunkard Creek, we can bring back recreational activity—fishing, hiking, canoeing—and with it, $67,000* annually in recreational revenue to the area’s businesses.

* 1994 PA DEP 305(b) report stating a $66,690 annual loss in recreational use of Dunkard Creek.