For Trout Unlimited, it means carrying on with stream restoration projects on waterways impacted by acid mine drainage toward maintaining wild trout species.

Brian Cooper, Pennsylvania AMD project manager, reported on a few of the cleanup efforts of area creeks and rivers at the October meeting of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Since 2004, Trout Unlimited has completed over 200 AMD technical assistance projects, he noted.

Many projects focus on enhancing wild brook trout populations on streams through passive AMD treatment approaches. Cooper noted that nine passive AMD treatment systems are in place in the Kettle Creek/Two Mile Run Watershed.

Passive AMD treatment systems include vertical flow ponds and open limestone beds.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Local members of Trout Unlimited turned out to hear Brian Cooper,Trout Unlimited's Pennsylvania Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) project manager talk about progress in cleaning up rivers and streams of acid mine drainage during a meeting at Central Presbyterian Church Wednesday.

Vertical flow ponds pass water through layers of organic compost and limestone to neutralize acidity and remove contaminants. The treated water, collected by pipes, goes to settling ponds to remove precipitated metals.

With an open limestone bed system, acidic water passes over the limestone raising the pH and alkalinity of an impacted trout stream.

The good news, Cooper said, is that such treatment approaches have allowed parts of Two Mile Run to rebound from the impacts of acid mine drainage.

“We hope to have it designated as a Class A trout water,” he said.

In general, Class A trout streams are those that support large numbers of trout to support a long-term and rewarding sport fishery. The improved water quality along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, he noted, is yet another stream restoration success story.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Brian Cooper,Trout Unlimited's Pennsylvania Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) project manager speaks to local members of Trout Unlimited about acid mine drainage during a meeting at Central Presbyterian Church Wednesday.

For many years, the West Branch was, in Cooper’s words, a “terribly impaired” waterway due to acid-mine drainage.

Treatment efforts have allowed much of the stream to rebound as evidenced by a greater diversity of fish species and insect life.

The Susquehanna is not known as a trout stream and not stocked by the state Fish and Boat Commission, but wild trout have been reported in the upper reaches of the West Branch.

In coming years, TU efforts will include restoration of Beech Creek, a cold-water stream severely impaired by acid mine drainage which Cooper believes could otherwise support trout.

Research efforts have been well under way, but the hope is landowners along the Clinton County stream as well as various stakeholders will back the project.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent One of the images of a trout Brian Cooper,Trout Unlimited's Pennsylvania Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) project manager shows a trout fingerling during his presentation to local members of Trout Unlimited about acid mine drainage during a meeting at Central Presbyterian Church Wednesday.

Cooper revealed a map showing mines that once operated in the watershed but remains optimistic that Beech Creek can eventually sustain trout populations.

“I think we can make a lot of progress in treating discharges and making other improvements,” he said.

Dave Rothrock, trout policy committee chair, Trout Unlimited, spoke of the need to maintain wild trout populations in streams where they have been known to flourish.

He is fighting to keep a section of Freeman Run, a Class A Stream in Potter County, from being stocked with trout.

“When you stop stocking, the wild trout population increases significantly,” he said.

Both wild brook and brown trout are known to dwell in its waters, he noted.

Rothrock, a flyfishing guide and casting instructor, concedes that many anglers are not concerned with preserving populations of naturally reproducing trout and give little thought to whether the fish they pursue and catch are either wild or stocked.

Nevertheless, he feels keeping intact wild species of trout is important.

“There is not enough emphasis put on the value of wild trout,” he said.

He is not opposed to stocking streams unable to sustain wild trout and would like to see changes with present stocking practices of the Fish & Boat Commission and private trout hatcheries.

“Utilize hatchery trout in areas that can’t sustain wild trout populations,” he said.