|by Ed Russell| For close to 100 years it was devoid of life. A
river of seemingly marvelous opportunity, but, in reality, as
empty of life as any corpse. And corpse it was - neither fish
nor animal nor plant alive in its cold crystalline waters. A
river of beautiful glides, imposing rapids, and deep mysterious
pools full of promise, but as empty of substance as a
prostitute's kiss. The culprit was acid runoff from mining
operations. The same culprit that has ruined countless waterways
across the country. In this case, coal mining was the villain.
In different locales, the search for copper, gold, lead and
other minerals has destroyed nearby streams. In Western
Maryland, on the North Branch of the Potomac, however, the
situation has improved dramatically. As a result of cooperation
between an environmentally conscious mining concern, and an
enlightened state Cold Water Fisheries Department, the North
Branch is now delivering on what was once only an empty promise.
Mining began in Western Maryland's coal rich