2009 Sammie Winner Dr. Allan Comp: Repairing Environmental Degradation from Mining

For many, these problems are invisible.

As a program analyst with the federal Office of Surface Mining, Dr. Comp is improving these degraded environments by empowering its people.

Working with few resources, Comp conceived and created the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team.

This is a unique partnership between the Office of Surface Mining and VISTA Volunteers -- often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps -- who work in coal country with local citizens.

Recently he launched the Western Hardrock Watershed Team to create a similar effort in Western mining communities.

These OSM/VISTA Volunteers, mostly recent college graduates, work for one year helping local citizens and civic groups apply for federal grant money, organize community volunteers to conduct various clean up initiatives, monitor water quality, and conduct community education and outreach programs.

More than 100 Vista volunteers have cycled through the Appalachian team, working in eight states whose counties comprise the Appalachian region. And they are making a difference.

Since the program was launched in 2001, Comp's teams have helped local residents secure $11 million in funding or in-kind contributions.

These OSM/VISTA Volunteers and the many community volunteers they attract have logged nearly 116,000 hours of work.

They are building sewer systems, engaging high school students in community projects, leading reforestation efforts, enhancing civic engagement in their communities and returning their rivers and streams to a much-improved condition.

The teams have monitored 600 acid mine drainage discharge sites for biological and chemical compositions, flow, bacteria, fecal coli form and sedimentation, and started 13 new remediation projects.

In the last year, the teams trained 224 people from local communities in water monitoring and evaluation, and had 357 community volunteers participating in these programs.

In addition, the teams conducted 220 presentations and training session at local schools and community centers.

Two years ago, officials in Colorado's state mining office called Dr. Comp's boss and asked if they could have a team like the one working in Appalachia.

Thus, the Western Hardrock Mining Team, described on its site as a "coalition of change-minded community improvement groups," was born.

This new partnership currently has 18 OSM/VISTAs working in Colorado, and is likely to have 30 volunteers working in the area by the end of the year.

Similar programs are underway in New Mexico and Montana.