WPCAMR Quarterly Meeting
Best Western University Inn, Indiana, PA
MEETING MINUTES
The quarterly meeting of the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation was called to order by LeeRoy Vatter, President at 10:00 AM on February 14, 2002 at the Best Western University Inn in Indiana, PA. There was a moment of silence for those who died on September 11.
The following were in attendance:
LeeRoy Vatter-WPCAMR William Gresock-Jefferson CD
Bruce Golden-WPCAMR Jessica Traister-Jefferson CD
Deb Simko-WPCAMR Shawn Wessell-Jefferson CD
Patrick Gavaghan-Allegheny CD Henry Karki-Lawrence CD
Bill Schall-Armstrong CD Greg Phillips-Westmoreland CD
James Eckenrode-Blair CD Paul Heyworth-Westmoreland CD
Dennis C. Beck-Cambria CD Mark Killar-Western PA Conservancy
Robb Piper-Cambria CD Bernie Hoffnar-DEP
Robert Sweitzer-Center CD Garry Price-PADEP
Hank Webster-Clearfield CD Karen Brody-RC&D Headquarters
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
LeeRoy Vatter asked that all attendees introduce themselves at the meeting.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
LeeRoy Vatter presented the November minutes to the Board members. A motion to accept the November minutes as presented was made by Hank Webster and seconded by Paul Heyworth. Motion carried.
AMENDMENT TO BY-LAWS
LeeRoy Vatter read the proposed language to create an Executive Committee: “Responsibility. The Executive Committee shall manage the day to day business of the Corporation between meetings of the Board and recommend policy matters for the Board of Directors to consider. It may execute all owners of the Board of Directors of a routine, usual, or emergency nature except for the appropriation of funds. The Executive Committee shall be convened by the President upon his direction or upon request of any three (3) of its members. Three of the Executive Committee members shall constitute a quorum. Composition. The Officers of the Corporation and the immediate past-president shall constitute the Executive Committee.” A motion to accept the Executive Committee amendment as written was made by Hank Webster and was seconded by William Gresock. Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT / AUDIT FOR 2001
Greg Phillips gave the Treasurer’s report. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was made by Dennis Beck and was seconded by Henry Karki. Motion carried.
A motion to talk to our insurance representative to pay the appropriate premium based on needs was made by Paul Heyworth and was seconded by Hank Webster. Motion carried.
A motion to pay the 2001 Audit and pay the insurance premium was made by Dennis Beck and was seconded by William Gresock. Motion carried.
REGIONAL COORDINATOR’S REPORT
Bruce Golden presented the Board a draft of the WPCAMR newsletter and also stated the Coalition sent 90 acknowledgements and/or support letters for Growing Greener Grant submissions. Deb Simko and Bruce have been conducting outreach to watersheds and conservation districts; planning for an AMD workshop in June; participating in an AMD Education Coalition and received training in GIS Arc view. Bruce conclude by stating that he is beginning to settle in as Regional Coordinator and is very happy at the progress he has made so far.
Deb Simko reported the Coalition received 24 applications and all were funded. She is waiting to receive $45,000 from DEP shortly.
Skelly & Loy is in the process of compiling the results. The EPA, ORSANCO, SRBC, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Chesapeake Program will be attending a meeting with the Steering Committee on February 19 to discuss the recommendations. Deb questioned what role the Coalition should take for the next steps. After discussion, the group decided that they needed to educate others as to the need for AMD remediation and would like to assist in the implementation phase of the Alliance.
Bruce Golden reported the Web base clearinghouse is up and running. The site is called amrclearinghouse.org. The purpose is to provide information to watersheds impacted by AMD. It provides the basic need to know how to deal with their problems. Bruce invited all to visit the site by simply clicking on Coalition. Bruce concluded by stating five scarlift reports have been digitized and linked to other sites; and are looking for interns at $8.50 an hour to assist in the project.
Paul Heyworth reported Project Gob Pile is completed and that there have been requests for 70 discs and 40 hard copies to date. The piles are being removed by Reliant Energy in Westmoreland County. The Coalition received $2,300 for administrating this grant. Paul felt the Coalition needed money for startup when they separate from WCD and clerical support as well. Paul stated he did not apply for a Gob Pile implementation grant because DEP suggested it would not score well. Garry Price suggested Coalition should apply to 319 for a Gob Pile implementation Grant. Paul concluded by thanking Bruce and Deb for all their help and stating that the Coalition had a big job to do – Education. Mark Killar felt Paul did an excellent job; and Bernie Hoffnar suggested having Paul recognized for all his hard work.
SUBMITTAL OF GROWING GREENER GRANT
Bruce Golden reported the Coalition applied for a Growing Greener Grant for $40,000 that would provide AMD education that would include approximately 60-75 presentations and customized materials targeted to decision makers like elected officials, watersheds and conservation districts.
MOU WITH WESTERN PA CONSERVANCY
LeeRoy Vatter reported that the MOU with the Western PA Conservancy was reviewed and that there was no need to revise it. Mark Killar stated that the WPC is willing to work with the Coalition. LeeRoy concluded by stating the Coalition has a specific niche and that Mark is willing to help with the Website.
REPORTS FROM CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, AGENCIES, WATERSHED ASSOCIATIONS & GUESTS
All in attendance gave reports on activities and upcoming events in their conservation districts .
AMD CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
Deb Simko suggested to the Coalition if it would want to use administrative money from RWSI to defray the costs of groups attending the 2002 Statewide AMD Watershed Conference in State College. Greg Phillips was concerned about using the money to defray the cost of those attending the conference verses using the money for Coalition administrative costs, with Garry Price having similar concerns. Bruce was supported of AMD Conference Scholarships but was also concerned about sustainability. A motion to pursue private and/or corporate support to help defray the costs with WPCAMR allocating $1,000 as leverage was made by Henry Karki and was seconded by Dennis Beck. Motion carried.
MEDIA BLITZ (SMCRA REAUTHORIZATION)
Deb Simko reported that that Media Blitz on SMCRA Reauthorization is on hold for the time being but additional information will be available at a later date.
LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION
Bruce Golden reported that the Coalition needs to be aware of proposed legislation that may affect WPCAMR. Several proposals to reauthorized GG for sustainability are being considered including an additional $5.00 per ton tipping fee charge on municipal waste; another for $3.00 per ton tipping fee charge and a bond issue for $130 million. Bruce suggested that local legislators be contacted in support of GG reauthorization.
WCD SEPARATION FROM COALITION
Bruce Golden reported the Coalition is still on track for organizational separation from WCD effective July 1, 2002. All the administration of the 319 grant would then become the responsibility of WPCAMR. Bruce anticipates approximately $12,000 will be available in the general fund to help address cash flow issues, especially in regards to salaries. Getting a line of credit will most likely be necessary. The Coalition will also have to make provisions for telephone, fax, copies and secretarial support. Coincidentally, WPCAMR will be moving its office to the Donohoe Center at about the same time because of WCD’s move to the Center for Conservation Education (the Barn).
Bruce Golden noted the state’s new emphasis on water resources with groundwater being an important component. He also stated that the interaction between groundwater and AMD has traditionally not been emphasized, but perhaps it should. AMD probably does impact groundwater to a much greater extent than originally thought but its true extent is unknown. As a result of a meeting with Bernie Hoffnar, Deb Simko and Bruce on the subject, the consensus was the Coalition should be more involved in groundwater issues, including exploring technology that may help identify problems.
REPORT ON STRATEGIC PLANNING
Bruce Golden reported that it was decided after group discussion to ask Janie French to facilitate WPCAMR Strategic Planning Session.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:00 PM was made by Bill Gresock and was seconded by Jim Resh. Motion carried.
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Minutes taken by Greg Phillips
Transcribed by Sandy Dzendzel