The Center for Coalfield Justice and the Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy will sponsor the second annual DRYerson Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today to mark the third year since Duke Lake in Ryerson Station State Park was drained because of a fracture in a dam.

The festival sponsors note that the draining of Duke Lake killed many fish and aquatic life and destroyed a major recreational asset of the community.

The state has sued Consol Energy Inc., claiming it lied about the risks of mining under the park and caused the failure of the dam.

The lawsuit, filed Jan. 31 by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, marks the first time that a state agency pointed the finger at the coal company for extensive damages to the park.

Local environmental groups and others have been urging the state to go after the Upper St. Clair-based mining company for what they believe is subsidence damage caused by the Bailey Mine. They also put some of the blame on the state for its failure to properly monitor and restrict longwall coal mining in certain areas.

The state hopes to rebuild the dam.

The theme of today's event is "Let's get the D out of Dryerson." The festival at the site of the lake aims to recall memories and rally supporters to take a stand against the future destruction of lakes and streams by coal companies.

The activities will be at Ryerson Station State Park, Pavilion 3 off Bristoria Road in Richhill, Greene County.

Free food, games for adults and children, an educational program, prizes and raffles will be offered.

The Greene County Bassmasters will conduct a casting contest for teenagers and provide a seminar on casting and boat safety tips. The state Department of Conversation and Natural Resources will give a guided tree identification tour of its newly planted trees and a fly-tying demonstration.

Also, to celebrate Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary, the Center for Coalfield Justice is working with WYEP and Allegheny Front to provide an oral history of the Wheeling Creek Watershed, including Ryerson State Park, by Cliff Amos, of Greene County.

For information, directions or to volunteer, contact the Center for Coalfield Justice at 724-229-3550 or info@coalfieldjustice.org.