EMPORIUM – Two reclamation projects began about two years ago on the Elk State Forest, May Hollow 49 and Wilmer Reclamation, according to Jeanne M. Wambaugh, district forester for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
May Hollow 49 is located in Cameron County and Wilmer Reclamation in Elk County. Each required the timber to be removed before the reclamation began, she said.
Although both are reclamation projects, May Hollow 49 is an acid mine reclamation project. The mine water flow is directed into settling ponds to remove heavy metals and lime is added to increase the ph. before it is released back into the tributary, she said.
According to her, Wilmer Reclamation is a high-wall removal project. She said the land was re-contoured and planted with grass, black locust and white pine trees.
Both projects are now completed, safer for visitors and benefiting the wildlife, said Wambaugh.
