Campaigns

We empower communities in the broader Youghiogheny River Watershed to engage in campaigns to address environmental degradation, climate change, and its root causes.

Shale Gas & Petrochemicals

Currently, one of the greatest threats to the health of the watersheds and quality of life in the Appalachian region is the development of shale gas and petrochemical infrastructure.

Nurdle Patrol

Nurdle Patrol What are Nurdles? A nurdle is a plastic pellet that serves as raw material in the manufacturing of plastic products. Nurdles are a major source of pollution –…

Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station

Tenaska Generating Station WHY THIS CAMPAIGN MATTERS Tenaska Westmoreland Generating Station is a 940 megawatt combined cycle natural gas fueled power plant, located just behind the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival grounds.…

Hazardous Waste

MWA continues to work alongside communities directly affected by the pollution discharge, poor air quality, and health impacts of hazardous waste landfills.

MAX Environmental Hazardous & Residual Waste Landfill

MAX Environmental is a hazardous waste landfill in the small town of Yukon, Pennsylvania. The facility accepts materials from energy, construction, manufacturing, and contaminated waste sites. MAX has caused trouble…

Coal Mining

Over the past 20 years, Mountain Watershed has raised almost $9 million dollars to create mine drainage treatment systems that remove harmful pollutants and have helped to restore the water and hence, quality of life, in our region. Given the success of our existing restoration activities and the tendency for mining in this watershed to produce discharges, any current and proposed coal mining activity is a huge risk for our area.

Rustic Ridge Coal Mine

Rustic Ridge Coal Mine The Rustic Ridge mine expansion threatens the Youghiogheny River watershed and beyond. Help us stop the mine expansion! Where is the Rustic Ridge Coal Mine &…

APPLY TO MWA'S DIRECT SUPPORT FUND!

Currently, one of the greatest threats to the health of the watersheds and quality of life in the Appalachian region is industrial resource extraction, primarily the development of shale gas, coal, and petrochemical infrastructure. The Direct Support Fund provides small grants to grassroots groups and advocates working toward social change on any of these environmental justice issues and more.

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A Year in the Yough

Quality of life in the Laurel Highlands region depends on the Youghiogheny River and tributaries like Indian Creek. Our streams are a source of recreation, tourism, sustainable economic growth, and drinking water. As citizens, it is our duty to protect these resources.

We hold polluters and environmental regulators accountable to ensure protection of our communities and the environment.

Campaign Archive

Data Centers: Lots of Fossil Fuels, Few Long-Term Jobs

June 23, 2025

On May 14, Fayette County leaders and industry representatives gathered with community members to present their plan to incentivize the construction of data centers in the county.  Open house events…

Blue Hole Creek: FAQ & Updates

June 12, 2025

After MWA discovered significant lead pollution in Blue Hole Creek, there was a huge community reaction. Rightly so – Exceptional Value headwater streams are incredibly important to the watershed as…

What’s new with the Rockwood Quarry?

May 29, 2025

For almost six months, a sandstone quarry has been operating in Somerset County’s Black Township under a small non-coal surface mining permit with the DEP (no. 56190801). The quarry is…