Conservation Profiles

Bruno Najaka

Sullivan County’s Bruno Najaka has dedicated the last 30 years of his life to reclaiming abandoned mine land. Today, thanks to the hard work and dedication of a variety of conservation organizations, including the Sullivan County Conservation District, the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation and the Rural Abandoned Mine Program (RAMP), nearly 85 percent of the Sullivan County’s abandoned mine lands have been successfully reclaimed. Najaka, has worked as a partner with each of these organizations, all working toward the common goal of restoring the natural habitat of mined-scarred land in Pennsylvania.

Najaka has been on the frontlines of his home county’s reclamation efforts since 1970, when he was appointed to serve as a Public Director of the Sullivan County Conservation District. Shortly afterward, he took on the position of coordinator of abandoned mine projects. In this capacity, Najaka has helped to oversee the reclamation of hundreds of acres of mine-affected lands. He has helped to restore the natural habitat of his local environment and restore the water quality of a number of local streams which were heavily polluted by abandoned mine drainage. In turn, much of the native wildlife and aquatic life has since returned. Najaka has managed to accomplish all of this as a volunteer.

Robert Hughes, Regional Director of EPCAMR, said, “Bruno has spent the past 30 years of his life dedicated to the conservation, reclamation and remediation of not only Sullivan County’s natural resources, but to the northeast region of Pennsylvania. He has strived to promote the spirit of cooperation among all parties with an interest in resolving the abandoned mine problems of the region and has committed his own time to our organization as well as numerous local watershed and land associations.”

As noted, Najaka’s legacy has been the reclamation of abandoned mine land in Sullivan County and northeastern Pennsylvania. Serving as the Sullivan Conservation District’s spokesman on mining issues and mine tours within the county, he helped to raise awareness about the severity of abandoned mine drainage in Pennsylvania, educating the public, as well as our local government leaders.

In October 1997, Najaka provided a guided tour of two reclaimed AMD sites in Colley Township, Sullivan County. Attending the tour were Senators Chip Brightbill and Roger Madigan, of the Senate Environmental Resource Committee. By conducting such tours, and educating our representatives about the problems associated with abandoned mine drainage, Najaka is helping to secure funding for abandoned mine projects throughout Pennsylvania.

Najaka explained that his interest in preserving the environment was sparked by his love of rural life and the great outdoors. “For me, cleaning up the abandoned mine water and abandoned mine lands became a major focus, mainly because I hunt and fish. I was concerned about the environmental problems affecting us and wanted Sullivan County to have a better habitat for our wildlife,” Najaka said. However once he became active with his reclamation efforts, what began as an effort to preserve local game land evolved into a lifelong quest to restore all of the abandoned mine land in Sullivan County. “It’s proved to be quite a challenge,” Najaka said. “We’ve had our share of set backs, but we’re getting there. I’d say we’re near 85 percent complete.”

John George, of the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service, said, “Bruno was very quick to seize on the opportunity to work on the abandoned mine lands in the Loyalsock Watershed. He worked tirelessly to bring together a coalition of public agencies, private groups and landowners to start reclamation efforts in Sullivan County. As a result of Bruno’s leadership, reclamation efforts were begun and ultimately, these efforts over the past two decades have resulted in the continuing restoration of abandoned mine lands in Sullivan County.”

Major reclamation efforts have been focused on the Loyalsock Watershed, including the most recent project – the construction of an anoxic system, designed to filter acid mine drainage discharge through a system of limestone and wetland in order to raise the pH level of water, prior to entering the Loyalsock. Previously, drainage from two mine tunnels had resulted in the pollution of nine miles of the Loyalsock. The completion of the project has been a milestone for Sullivan County and the Loyalsock Watershed. Najaka, personally monitors the sites on an almost-daily basis keeping a close eye on the water quality in these project areas.

Najaka explains that the reclamation efforts in Sullivan County have helped to improve each of the county’s five major watersheds, as well as the landscape of several hundred acres. “On strip mine landfills, you can usually see a difference within a year’s time,” he said. “Once the plantings occur and vegetation is restored to the area you can see the wildlife slowly return. In the streams, it’s basically the same. Once the pH level is stabilized, you can see the aquatic life return to the water.”

His efforts in the field have drastically improved the landscape of Sullivan County, however, Najaka has helped to shape a brighter future for Sullivan County in more than one way. He initiated the organization of the first Envirothon Club for Sullivan County High School, served as a 4-H leader, and a Boy Scout leader. He helped the students and children in each of these organizations to develop an understanding of environmental issues and the problems facing the natural world.

Najaka, who worked as an industrial arts teacher until his retirement in 1993, has called Sullivan County home for 48-plus years. His volunteer efforts in the field of conservation have earned him acclaim in Sullivan County and throughout Pennsylvania. According to Sullivan County District Manager Jackie Rouse, Najaka has earned a distinguished reputation as a “knowledgeable environmentalist, dedicated conservationist and a responsible team leader.” Najaka is active with a number of associations including the Muncy Creek Sportsmen’s Association, Endless Mountains Resource Conservation and Development Council, White Ash Land Association, the Loyalsock Watershed Association, EPCAMR, RAMP and the Sullivan Conservation District. One of his major accomplishments has been to help form lasting, productive partnerships between these various organizations.

Recently, Bruno Najaka was honored for his decades of volunteer service when he received one of six Environmental Partnership Awards. The awards are presented annually to individuals who stand out in the community for their commitment to environmental quality, and have proven to be inspiring environmental leaders and advocates of forming partnerships.