News

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

Rockwood Quarry Comments Due May 12!

By Colleen O'Neil / May 8, 2025

The Rockwood Quarry, located a short distance from downtown Rockwood and only feet from the Great Allegheny Passage Trail (pictured above), has applied to expand. Per the PA Bulletin, it…

Productive Volunteer Days on the ICV Trail!

By Colleen O'Neil / May 5, 2025

We’d like to give a big shout-out to our recent volunteers who helped with some projects on the Indian Creek Valley Trail! Before the ICV Trail 5k, a crew from…

Paradise Lost: Lead contamination found in Blue Hole Creek

By Colleen O'Neil / April 30, 2025

Heavy metal contamination (including lead) has been found in Blue Hole Creek, Forbes State Forest, Somerset County, Pennsylvania Blue Hole Creek originates from the top of Laurel Ridge near Seven…

Action for Earth Day!

By Colleen O'Neil / April 22, 2025

 This Earth Day, join community members from the Yukon, PA area, along with Mountain Watershed Association, at the Yukon Fire Hall located at 124 Hwy St, Yukon, PA 15698 at…

PA DEP Issues Coal Mine Expansion in the Heart of the Laurel Highlands

By Colleen O'Neil / April 22, 2025

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued the permit to allow LCT Energy to expand their underground coal mining operations by 1452 acres. The mining area will expand under…

Here, Then Gone: Essential Ephemerals in the Yough Watershed

By Colleen O'Neil / April 7, 2025

Spring is an exciting time to be in nature. Every time I go outside, it feels like something new is popping up. Even the sides of the road, still half-covered…

“They don’t have a plan.” Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill’s Leachate Problem

By Em Hough / March 31, 2025

On March 20, 2025, residents of the Mon Valley, regional environmental groups, attorneys, and scientists gathered in the Rostraver Fire Hall to provide public comment on Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill’s most…

Public Meetings on the Sale of ICVWA to Pennsylvania American Water

By Stacey Magda / March 18, 2025

Meetings are happening to talk about selling the Indian Creek Valley Water Authority (ICVWA) to Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC). This sale could affect our community for a long time.…

Signs of Spring in the Yough Watershed

By Colleen O'Neil / March 8, 2025

Happy March! The clocks have changed, and the long, dark days of winter are officially over. Even though there might be some springtime snow storms in our future, we’re ready…

DEP renews controversial Rustic Ridge mine permits

By Colleen O'Neil / March 3, 2025

Despite strong opposition from residents and elected officials, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has renewed permits for the Rustic Ridge #1 Coal Mine, setting the stage for a…

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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…