Spring and Summer Training Dates Announced!

May 15-17, 2009: Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain KY
June 1-3, 2009: National Mining Academy, Beckley WV

We look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces for our Spring watershed trainings! Participants will choose between four full-day tracks: Water Monitoring and Developing a Watershed Plan, Grant Writing and Administration, Project Development and Reporting (319 Level) and Environmental Education. General Sessions will cover a range of topics from Marketing and Working with Legislative Representatives to Wetland and Stream Restoration. Spring training sessions expand upon fall sessions, while including options for groups of all experience levels and those who have never joined us before. As always, trainings are completely free to participants: an EPA Grant generously covers all training, lodging and meal costs and will reimburse mileage for one car per watershed group.

For more information and registration form, click HERE.

Summer Practicum:

July 7-10, 2009: Mullens Opportunity Center, Mullens WV

ECRR's Summer Practicum is your opportunity to get out of the classroom and get your hands wet! This experience will very different from Spring and Fall trainings, as it involves participants in four days of intensive, hands-on practice in two tracks: water monitoring and organizational development. At the end of the week, participants will be certified in either Save Our Streams Water Monitoring (DEP) or Leadership Plenty for Watersheds. Practicum is geared toward newer organizations and those that don't currently have any staff or volunteers certified in water monitoring or organizational development.

For more information and registration form, click HERE.

Urgent Memo Regarding Watershed Cooperative Agreement Plan

For 10 years, the Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program (WCAP) has provided valuable complimentary funds for non-profits doing water treatment projects to clean up AMD. By only being available to non-profits groups, typically local watershed groups, WCAP ensures locally driven stakeholder supported projects that leverage additional monies from other federal programs.

It has recently come to ECRR's attention that the language that allows WCAP money to be used as a match for federal funds is missing from the Fiscal Year 2009 Federal Appropriation Bill. We understand that this is an oversight, but if not corrected it will keep many watershed groups from being able to start AMD remediation projects. To find out more information, including what you can do, read more.

2009 Membership Drive

ECRR is currently seeking membership for its 2009 Membership Drive! If you have found Creek Clips, or any other services ECRR has provided valuable, we ask that you please consider becoming a member by making a contribution today. With your help, ECRR will be able to continue to provide the resources groups in Coal Country tell us again and again are so important to them!

The minimum donation to become a member is $15. However, please feel free to contribute any amount--we all know how it is: every bit counts!

If you would like to contribute to ECRR in another way, please contact Kelsey to discuss all the wonderful possibilities!

You may write a check to ECRR and send it to: 300 Front Street Rm 19, Mullens, WV 25882. Or: contact Kelsey at info@easterncoal.org or (304) 294-1003

We are a 501(c)3 organization, so your contribution is tax-deductible.

As always, thank you for your partnership!

Tell us what YOU want!

We here at ECRR are constantly striving to improve the services we provide you, and we are most effective when you let us know what you need! We are currently looking to improving our website, expanding the resources available and making them easier to access. We are also looking for ideas for spring training topics, expanding our Coal Country store, and creating effective marketing materials.

If you have any ideas or skills you'd like to share with us, please contact us at (304) 294-1003 or info@easterncoal.org. Remember, we're here for YOU! As much as you need us, we also need you.

Look forward to hearing from you!

ECRR Staff

Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable is committed to providing equal access to all programs and activities to persons with disabilities. ECRR is fully compliant with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and does not discriminate against anyone based on race, color, origin, age, sex, disability, religion, or income status.

The design and implementation of this website has been made possible through assistance provided by the the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (WPCAMR).      (c) 2005, ECRR - Eastern Coal Regional Roundtable