The leader of a grassroots group that treated acid mine drainage in Catawissa Creek, where the members now seek to provide access for fishing, will speak to the public during a meeting of the Western Pocono Chapter of Trout Unlimited at the White Haven Library on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
Ed Wytovich and the Catawissa Creek Restoration Association began addressing pollution that enters the creek as a result of coal mining in 1997. Now the group operates three treatment plants that remove toxic chemicals, allow the creek to purify itself and restore populations of macroinvertebrates and wild trout that feed on them.
Wytovich, a retired high school teacher who has been recognized internationally, will describe the processes used in plants and efforts to let the public fish in the creek.
He has received the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Partnership Award, the Governor’s Watershed Stewardship Award, the Outdoor Writer’s Conservationist of the Year Award, and the international Ed Zern Conservation Award.
Even after three decades as a reporter at the Standard-Speaker, Kent Jackson still enjoys meeting people, learning more about the community and sharing stories with readers. He currently covers schools but has reported on local government, health, police and the environment. Regularly, he writes about outdoor sports, wildlife and conservation for the Wildlife page on Sundays. Contact: 570-455-3636; kjackson@standardspeaker.com