The Schuylkill County commissioners presented the area watershed associations with awards of $3,000 each Tuesday at the monthly meeting of the Schuylkill Conservation District.
Commissioners Frank J. Staudenmeier, George F. Halcovage Jr. and Gary J. Hess presented the awards to representatives of the five local watershed associations: Catawissa Creek Restoration Association, Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association, Schuylkill Headwaters Association and Tri-Valley Watershed Association.
Hess said that the awards given out come from money that was put aside in the budget for conservation efforts, from grants and Schuylkill County Solid Waste and Recycling.
"This my 11th year that I have had the privilege and pleasure of recognizing all of those folks and on behalf of myself and my commissioners George Halcovage and Gary Hess, I certainly want to thank each and every one of you," Staudenmeier said. "We recognized what you do not only today, but throughout the whole year to help us here in Schuylkill County."
Staudenmeier also talked about each association, telling that CCRA is working to reduce the impacts of abandoned mine drainage in the watershed to restore the Catawissa Creek as a trout fishery; MCWA is working to reduce abandoned mine pollution in the watershed and educated the public on environmental issues; NSCWA has completed many projects to improve fish habitats and reduce abandoned mine and agricultural pollution in the watershed; SHA continues to construct and maintain abandoned mine drainage treatment systems in an effort to restore the Schuylkill River; TVWA is working to reduce the impacts of agricultural pollution through stream restoration projects and public education on how to improve water quality in the watershed.
"The passion you guys have for the environment is second to none," Staudenmeier said.
After the awards were presented, Halcovage and Hess also said a few words.
Halcovage said that one of the neat things about this group of people is the teamwork, as everyone involved is coming together to do what's best for the county.
"I just want to thank everyone for what you do, because we can't do what is good for Schuylkill County without you," Halcovage said.
"What I see in this room is heart," Hess said.
Schuylkill Conservation District Manager Elizabeth Hinkel and Wayne Lehman, county natural resource specialist with the conservation district, said that the conservation district works closely with the volunteer watershed groups.
Hinkel said the conservation district can't complete all the work that needs to be done, so the volunteer watershed groups can do a lot with monitoring and maintenance.
"It shows the local residents taking the ownership and initiative," Lehman said.