FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2008

                      
Local Watershed Group Lauds Yough ‘River of the Year’ Designation
Designation Focuses New Attention on Activities that Negatively Affect the Yough

Melcroft, PA – The Mountain Watershed Association (MWA), home of the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper program, was pleased to see the recent announcement of the Youghiogheny River as Pennsylvania’s 2008 River of the Year by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

“We are quite happy,” said Krissy Kasserman, Youghiogheny Riverkeeper.  “We expect the River of the Year designation to draw well-deserved attention to the many watershed organizations that have had such a substantial impact on the river’s water quality, including the Mountain Watershed Association.”

According to MWA, despite the River of the Year designation, serious threats to water quality persist.  Past and present mining activities continue to be a major problem, and a recently proposed 500+ acre strip mine in Dunbar Township will operate just a few hundred feet from the Yough and the Youghiogheny River Bike Trail if permitted.  Called the Curry mine and proposed by Amerikohl, this strip mine will be located in an area adjacent to not only the Yough but Morgan Run and Johnson Run as well.  All three are designated high quality cold water fisheries by the state.

“So many tourists from all over the eastern United States and beyond travel to the Laurel Highlands every year to bike, paddle, ski and fish,” stated Beverly Braverman, the Association’s Executive Director.  “Coal mining is not only a threat to water quality but a threat to the tourism industry as well.  We are hopeful that the River of the Year designation will draw attention to all of the negative practices that impact the water resources and quality of life within the Yough watershed.”

The Mountain Watershed Association seeks primarily the restoration of Indian Creek, a major Yough tributary, from years of irresponsible mining practices.  By becoming home of the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper, the Association has expanded their vision and advocacy to include the larger Youghiogheny River watershed.  Through this expansion, MWA hopes to partner with other organizations who champion the Yough to work cooperatively toward improving the Yough watershed.

MWA plans a film festival as part of the River of the Year activities, with more details to follow soon. 

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