Progress Report for 4/10/2003

This topic submitted by Nate, Fia, Jo, Kevin on 4/10/03. Additions were last made on Thursday, April 10, 2003. Section:

Progress is coming along on the Coal Burning Plant and its effects on Collins Run. Today Kevin went fish shocking and made observations and collecting data. While he was off doing that, JoElyn, Nathaniel and Sophia were hard at work doing research on past projects done, fish info and the effects coal run off and coal plants have on water stream health. We came up with a handful of information, including one of last year's final Rivers projects on Harker's Run. We can use the information from that research project and use it in our comparison of HarkerÕs Run to Collins Run. We also found information on fish species, and how fish can tell us the integrity of water systems. Lastly, we found information on coal runoff, basic background information on coal and a wicked coal quiz to take.

Nathaniel also interviewed current professor and former dean of Western College Dr. Curt Ellison today. It was most informative. Dr. Ellison related the history of the coal burning plant, as well the development of the Miami University as a whole. He learned that the acquisition of the Western Campus in 1974 provided space for MiamiÕs growth. Along with the academic building Bachelor Hall, the residential dormitory Havighurst , the coal burning plant was constructed on Western after it changed ownership. Much of the reason for the location was to keep the plant, which could be considered an eyesore, out of view. The old plant, which was located on what is now the parking lot of Gaskill Hall, was in the middle of MiamiÕs development and easily seen. Nathaniel learned more about the history of the plant, allowing us see it in a historical, social, and political context.

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