Macro Invertebrate Count

Thank you all for helping with our March 29th macro invertebrates count.
SGI PUBLIC HEARING
​SGI public hearing for a discharge permit to Tom’s creek.

PUBLIC HEARING
​Wednesday, July 17 at 6:30 pm
Fairfield Fire and EMS Hall, Fairfield PA 17320

Hear comments on Specialty Granules Inc.'s permit application renewal to discharge stormwater (NPDES Permit No. PA0223239) to a tributary of Toms Creek from the Pitts Quarry. The hearing will begin with an information session from 6:30 to 7 pm and then a public hearing at 7 pm.

Written comments will be accepted until July 31, 2019. They may be sent to: Cambria District Mining Office, District Mining Operations, Department of Environmental Protection, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Attn: Daniel Sammarco, P.E., District Mining Manager; Rock Martin, P.G., Permit Chief, 286 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931.

Once again, it is really important to have as many people at this hearing as possible and also for DEP to hear from concerned citizens about the threat that SGI's discharged stormwater would have to Toms Creek, a High Quality trout stream. This is a natural resource that will NOT "bounce back" once it is degraded. Let's "speak for the creek"!

Hope to see you there!

Protect Tom’s Creek From Hazardous Mountaintop Removal

RECENT BIRDSEYE VIEW OF SGI’s CHARMIAN FACILITY
This video speaks volumes about the fate awaiting Pine Hill (which can be seen in the background). It also speaks to the vulnerability of Toms Creek - when you see what has happened to Miney Branch after degradation by SGI.
WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?
Learn more about the issues! Read SGI's response to comments made during the DEP hearing in July. 

PRESS RELEASE
WATCH DEP PUBLIC HEARING 
"Mountaintop removal is as near total destruction as you can imagine, because it does away with the forest, it does away with the topsoil that sustained the forest, it does away with the very topography —even people's family graveyards go. And it's done in complete disregard not only of the land but of the people who live downhill, whose lives are threatened, whose water supplies are destroyed, whose homes are damaged. The people downhill, downstream, and ahead of us in time are totally disregarded." - Wendell Erdman Berry, American novelist, poet, environmental activist, cultural critic, and farmer

SGI's "Non-Coal Surface Mining"

These are drawings that were presented at the Conditional Use Hearing in February 2014 by SGI. A picture is worth a thousand words. What we see here is called "non-coal surface mining."  It is a term of art, since the effect will essentially be the same as mountaintop removal mining.

HIKE     HUNT      FISH
HELP KEEP IT CLEAN
for future generations

Tom's Creek is a vital part of the culture and natural history of the surrounding region.

About Tom's Creek

​Tom's Creek is a pristine trout stream that is located in the headwaters of the Potomac River Watershed. It originates along South Mountain in south central Pennsylvania within Michaux State Forest and flows southward through Adams County to join the Monocacy River in Frederick County, Maryland.

Support FOTC

You can help by volunteering with us, making a contribution, or 
by simply enjoying this pristine natural resource.

Our Vision

  • High quality areas of Tom's Creek must remain high quality
  • Recognize historic significance of Tom's Creek and surrounding area
  • Promote active stewardship by families and communities of Tom's Creek watershed
  • Ensure protection of this important natural and cultural resource - now, and in the perpetuity.