Early in 2009, Foundation Mining petitioned the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to downgrade the rating of South Fork Tenmile Creek (SFTM) in Greene County, which would allow the company to dump dirty water into the creek with little or no treatment.

But that plan backfired on the company – big time, as former VP Cheney would say. After local conservationists and PennFuture got involved and documented the true value of the creek, DEP actually upgraded many parts of the creek, which means the company now has to take even more action to protect the water.

This week’s podcast, recorded in part at a celebration of DEP’s decision, features many of the people who worked so hard to get this great result. First, PennFuture’s western Pennsylvania outreach coordinator, Dr. Joylette Portlock, speaks with Krissy Kasserman from Mountain Watershed Association; Terri Davin from Center for Coalfield Justice; PennFuture’s Staff Attorney Brian Glass, who was lead counsel on the issue; and Attilia (Tillie) Shumaker from Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy. In the second part of the podcast, you’ll hear Joylette’s discussion with the experts on the case, Dr. Steve Kunz from Schmid and Company and Dr. Ben Stout.

PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes.