News

Scroll down for an update on our conservation work, our ongoing campaigns, our upcoming events, our volunteer opportunities, and press.

Report Reveals Deep Mine Subsidence Risk

By Nate Ricketts / June 29, 2026

LCT Energy has not been sharing everything they know about subsidence risks in their Rustic Ridge deep mine. LCT commissioned Barr Engineering to perform an in-depth analysis of the mine’s…

The Yough Watershed’s longest hiking trail turns 50!

By Colleen O'Neil / June 24, 2026

I huffed up the slope, so steep I had to scrabble at the trail with my hands. My best friend and her dad were way ahead of me, tromping up…

Write a Comment to DEP! Proposed Rustic Ridge II coal mine wastewater permit threatens water supplies, ecosystems, and local headwaters

By Stacey Magda / June 18, 2026

The proposed Rustic Ridge II coal mine wastewater discharge permit threatens area private water supplies, ecosystem service, and another headwater. Submit comments to DEP to save the headwaters of Jacobs…

Long-Awaited Win for the Wild & Scenic Yough!

By Colleen O'Neil / June 18, 2026

Old-growth hemlock trees in the Youghiogheny Grove and citizens of the Wild and Scenic Yough finally have a win!  The Appellate Court of Maryland has ruled that the Maryland Department…

MWA Member Donates Yough Patrol Boat!

By Colleen O'Neil / June 17, 2026

We’d like to officially introduce our first official Youghiogheny River Patrol Boat! Longtime MWA member (and volunteer Board of Directors member) Ken Gfroerer generously donated the funds to purchase this…

Rustic Ridge 1 and Expansion Deep Mine:  Protect Your Property with Pre-Mining Surveys

By Stacey Magda / June 17, 2026

Recently, our team had the opportunity to review the most recent proposed 6-month mine maps associated with the Rustic Ridge 1 and Expansion Deep Mine. These files were obtained via…

Our comment on the Homer City Data Center Pipeline

By Colleen O'Neil / June 1, 2026

On May 12, MWA stood in solidarity with Concerned Residents of Western Pennsylvania (CROW) and community members from Indiana County at a PA DEP public hearing on the proposed Homer…

Trail Tuesday Summer Schedule

By Colleen O'Neil / May 29, 2026

Every summer we host guided walks on the Indian Creek Valley Trail on Tuesday evenings. The long-awaited Trail Tuesday schedule for this summer is finally here! This year, we’re trying…

Small Grants for Grassroots Groups Available!

By Colleen O'Neil / May 28, 2026

Since 2014, the Direct Support Fund (DSF) has provided small grants to grassroots groups working toward environmental justice in Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley. Mountain Watershed Association leads the…

Fracking Operator Seeks Leases from Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County

By Nate Ricketts / May 13, 2026

Through a recent “Right to Know” request, MWA learned that the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) was approached to lease large areas of land to fracking operator, PH Masterline. …