News

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

Adding the Steyer Bridge to the Indian Creek Valley Trail

By Jace Marsh / June 5, 2020

There are still sections that need completed to finish the Indian Creek Valley Trail from Route 31 to the Youghiogheny River—a full 19 miles of what remains of the abandoned…

Demand Public Hearing On Permit To Evaporate Toxic Leachate

By Ashley Funk / June 4, 2020

The Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill, located in Belle Vernon, has applied for a state permit to evaporate leachate (liquid runoff) from the site, putting nearby residents and sanitary workers at risk.…

Walk with Rachel in the Indian Creek Gorge

By Rachel Pell / June 4, 2020

The Indian Creek Valley Gorge is somewhat of a hidden gem in the Laurel Highlands. The 4.5 mile gorge section of the ICV Trail was completed in August of 2019…

DEP Sides with MWA to Protect Coalfield Residents

By Ashley Funk / May 12, 2020

Last week, in response to our advocacy efforts alongside the Center for Coalfield Justice, the Department of Environmental Protection issued guidance that called on coal operators to protect residents during pre…

Food Pantries in the Laurel Highlands

By Hannah Spencer / May 5, 2020

Passive Treatment—Active Maintenance: When Mine Drainage Treatment Systems Need Fixed

By Jace Marsh / April 23, 2020

If you saw this along the Indian Creek Valley Trail during the first couple months of 2020, you may have thought something was awry. You would have been correct. That…

Unrestricted Mining Activities Putting Residents’ Rights and Health at Risk

By Tyler Cannon / April 8, 2020

While COVID-19 grips public health and the economy, coal mining operations in Pennsylvania are proceeding at full speed. On the eve of Governor Wolf’s address closing “non-essential” business, coal mining…

Spring Wildflowers of the Indian Creek Gorge

By Rachel Pell / April 8, 2020

The Indian Creek Gorge is a special place. It contains large sections of undisturbed deciduous and mixed forests, excellent floodplain vegetation, and the sights and sounds of Indian Creek’s fast…

That Familiar Stream-side Tune

By Hannah Spencer / April 7, 2020

I thought I heard a song I’ve just been dying to hear lately. It was getting a little chilly outside as the sun sets on the tree line but that’s…

An Early Spring Hike Through Bear Run

By Rachel Pell / March 24, 2020

While I’ve always loved exploring the woods, I found myself going out for walks much more frequently last week. I’ve been out daily as opposed to just on the weekends…

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Blue Hole Creek still polluted, but no further action from PA DEP (ACTION ITEM)

April 30, 2026

A whole year after MWA learned about lead pollution in Blue Hole Creek in Forbes State Forest, this once-pristine stream remains contaminated…

Your Water Bill Could Go Up — Here’s What That Letter Really Means

April 27, 2026
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Recently, many Indian Creek Valley Water Authority (ICVWA) customers opened their mail and found a “Rate Impact Notice” about possible future rate…

MWA Files Appeal After $2.8M Cut to Mine-Damage Protections

April 21, 2026
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MWA has filed an appeal challenging a decision to cut millions of dollars in financial protections for damage from underground coal mining…

Happy Egg Season! What’s About to Hatch?

April 10, 2026

It’s my favorite time of year! EGG SEASON. No, not just Easter egg hunts. But the time of year where some birds…

The Vernal Pool, a Salamander Nursery!

April 3, 2026

I’ve been seeing a ton of social media posts about vernal pools, but, what are they?  What is a vernal pool? It’s…