Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 3. Water Resources
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) is a federal act that established uniform
standards for coal mining activities on state and federal lands. The standards include environmental
performance protection standards to reduce adverse effects on aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and other
environmental values. Under this regulation, mining companies are required to conduct remediation
efforts for environmental degradation cause after the establishment of this act in 1977. It gives companies
an incentive to reduce environmental impacts in order to avoid the high costs of remediation. Through
this program the Abandoned Mine Reclamation (AMR) fund was created to provide financial assistance
to clean up mine lands abandoned prior to the passing of the act, which are not covered by the new
standards and regulations (Environmental Literacy Council, 2008).
SMCRA and CWA have important implication for mining activities throughout Pennsylvania. Future
mining activities must comply with SMCRA and the anti-degradation component of the CWA
(Environmental Literacy Council, 2008).
Water Quality
Classification of Water Pollution
Water pollution is divided into two categories—point and
non-point sources. Point sources are pollution discharges from
an identifiable source, such as discharge pipes from a factory
or wastewater treatment plant. Non-point source enters a
waterbody through unidentifiable sources, such as agricultural
or stormwater runoff.
Regulated under the CWA through the NPDES program,
point source pollutants—because they come from an
identifiable location—are easier to manage. In Pennsylvania,
an earth disturbance from one to five acres in size requires a
NPDES permit if there is a point source discharge at the site.
Agricultural uses, other than Confined Animal Feeding
Operations (CAFOs) and timber operations that are fewer than
Point source discharges require a
NPDES permit to discharge waste into a
waterway
25 acres, are not required to obtain a NPDES permit. There are 31 NPDES permitted discharge sites
within the Allegheny River headwaters. They are identified in Appendix J.
Erosion and sedimentation, stormwater, and agricultural sources and culprits of non-point source
pollution. Non-point source pollutants are not visible without detailed analysis and research to identify
their origins.
Sources of Impairment
Erosion and Sedimentation
Human influences, such as agricultural and forestry practices, commercial and residential
development, and dirt and gravel roadways, accelerate erosion and sedimentation rates within the
Allegheny Headwaters watershed.
Erosion is a natural process that involves the displacement of soils, sediment, or rocks by wind or
water. However, it is the accelerated movement of theses materials—usually following human
influences—that cause the greatest ecological concern. Increased rates of erosion and sedimentation
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