How 40 acres of Abandoned Mine Lands Became a Wildlife Habitat

State Game Lands 100 used to be an abandoned mine land. But the 40 acres of hilly with broad level grassland, it is now home to deer, elk, bears, turkeys, and other animals.

All thanks to the Contrary Run Project's efforts, the State Game Lands 100 has been made an eco-attraction that is safe for all visitors - humans, animals, and plants alike.

The Contrary Run Project is funded by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Department of Environmental Protection‘s Growing Greener Watershed Protection Program and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The main goal of the Contrary Run Project was to treat acid mine drainage from two underground mine sources. The game land was once a clay mine.

The project's completion comes with improved water quality for Contrary Run from a tributary that reroutes acid mine drainage through a limestone filter, which passively treats water discharge. Water quality has then improved.

The Pennsylvania DEP's Growing Greener Grant provided $1 million for the project, and $180,000 came from the Game Commission.

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