WPCAMR Quarterly Meeting

Best Western, Indiana, PA

MEETING MINUTES

November 14, 2002

 

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 November 14, 2002 at the Best Western in Indiana, PA.

           

The following were in attendance:

            Lisa Bennett – Greene CD                               Marc Maestra – KC Stream Team

            Karen Brady – Headwater RC&D                   Tim Moberg – Cambria CD

            Tom Clark – Indiana CD                                 Greg Phillips – Westmoreland CD

            Brad Clemenson – Cong. Murtha                    Jim Resh – Indiana CD

            Jim Eckenrode – Blair CD                               Jackie Ritko – Cambria CD

            Don Eligman – Centre CD                              Deb Simko – WPCAMR

            Bob Eppley – BCWA                                      Dick Smith – Beaver CD

            Bruce Golden – WPCAMR                             David Steele – Somerset CD

            William Gresock – Jefferson CD                     Jessica Traister – Jefferson CD

            Paul Heyworth – Westmoreland CD               Sara Tumulty – WPCAMR

            Bernie Hoffnar – DEP                                     LeeRoy Vatter – WPCAMR

            Carl Jones – Somerset CD                              Michael Yeck – Beaver CD

             

Welcome / Introductions

            LeeRoy Vatter welcomed all in attendance.  The minutes from the last meeting were distributed.  A motion to accept the minutes was made by Greg Phillips and was seconded by Bill Gresock.  Motion carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Greg Phillips gave the Treasurer’s Report. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and file for audit was made by Paul Heyworth and was seconded by Dick Smith. Motion carried.

 

Watershed Coordinator’s Report

Passing Go: Strategic Planning Workshop for Watersheds - Deb Simko reported that Passing Go is a pilot project for the DEP southwest region that will include 4 workshops for watershed associations on how to do planning.  The first workshop is scheduled for January.

Ohio River Basin Alliance – Deb reported that the steering committee will make recommendations to the DEP on the Alliance.

RWSI Grant – Deb reported that the deadline to apply for the grant is December 31, 2002 and the money must be used by June 30, 2003.

Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund – Deb will be traveling to Washington D.C. to meet with the Office of Management and Budget to discuss the AML Trust Fund.  Efforts are being made to create an Appalachian group to advocate for the eastern states.

Watershed Conference – The Watershed Conference received positive feedback and over 340 people attended.  Next year’s conference will be in Grantville, PA.

 

WPCAMR History

A rough draft of the WPCAMR history written by Paul Heyworth was distributed.  Paul Heyworth gave a brief synopsis of the WPCAMR history.  The history will be included in a booklet to commemorate WPCAMR’s 20th anniversary.

 

Nominating Committee for WPCAMR Officers

LeeRoy Vatter reported that officer elections would occur at the next quarterly meeting and requested that a committee be formed to nominate candidates.  Greg Phillips, Dick Smith, and Jim Resh have volunteered.

 

Company Car

Bruce Golden reported that WPCAMR has purchased a 1991 Chevrolet Corsica for $750.

 

AMD Conference Planning

Bruce Golden reported that the AMD Conference will begin rotating between eastern and western Pennsylvania.  Next year’s conference will take place in eastern Pennsylvania, tentatively Wilkes-Barre.  EPCAMR has received a grant to fund the conference for the next 2 years.

 

TAG Grant

Bruce Golden gave an update on TAG.  WPCAMR is now working on 2 TAG grants, AMRClearinghouse.org and digitizing scarlifts.

 

Decision Maker Grant Program

            Sara Tumulty gave an update on the decision maker grant.  Sara was hired as an AmeriCorps member in September.  She has prepared fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation and has written several articles for the project.

 

Abandoned Mine Posts

            Bruce Golden reported that the free email subscription service has been very successful, but the service needs to be advertised more.

 

LTV Steel Bankruptcy

            Articles written by Bruce Golden about LTV Steel were distributed.  Bruce gave an update on the LTV Steel situation.  A motion to formally request that the DEP forms a task force on the LTV Steel Bankruptcy and initiates a first meeting was made by Greg Phillips, and was seconded by Paul Heyworth.  Motion carried.

 

Award Presentation

            An award was given to Brad Clemenson from Penn’s Corner RC&D.

 

AML Trust Fund

            Brad Clemenson gave an update on the AML Trust Fund reauthorization and expressed John Murtha’s support for the SMCRA reauthorization.

 

Monongehala Mine Pool Project

            Bruce Golden reported that there have been no new changes for the Monongehala Mine Pool Project.

 

Growing Greener Grant Proposals

            Deb Simko reported that WPCAMR will be applying for a grant for the formation of the Ohio River Basin Alliance.

            Bruce Golden reported that WPCAMR will be applying for a grant for Passive Treatment OM&R Study to test existing passive treatment systems.

            A motion to pursue the two Growing Greener Grants was made by Paul Heyworth, and was seconded by Dick Smith.  Motion carried.

 

Reports from Conservation Districts, Agencies, Watershed Associations, and Guests

LeeRoy Vatter asked all in attendance to introduce themselves, and then each gave reports on activities and upcoming events in their conservation districts.

 

Open Discussion/Questions/Comments

LeeRoy Vatter opened the meeting for open discussion.

 

2003 WPCAMR Quarterly Meetings

            Bruce Golden provided the meeting dates for 2003.  They are February 13, May 15, August 14, and November 13.

 

Strategic Planning

            A brief strategic planning session took place.  Bruce Golden facilitated in place of Janie French.  Bruce reviewed the planning process and gave an update on progress to date.  Small groups were formed and two questions were addressed.

 

How does WPCAMR add or provide value?

•         By helping watershed associations (form, sustain, implement projects)

•         By finding money

•         By providing a forum to network

•         By serving as a clearinghouse

•         By educating people on AMD issues

•         By regionally advocating for AMD/reclamation

•         By serving as a land trust for projects

•         By developing OM&R system

 

•         Coordination of efforts between organizations

•         Provide direction

•         Getting everyone to work as one voice

•         To serve as a go between and work on advocacy

•         To identify problems and institute some problem solving methods

•         To work with watersheds to do a better job once established

•         To work on establishing watersheds

 

•         A place to go when dealing with mining issues as a problem solver and guidance center

•         Informational database on successful and knowledgeable contractors and engineers that deal with mining issues

•         OM&R help center

•         Watershed association training especially on plans pertaining to restoration and assessment

•         Lobbying for western Pennsylvania

 

What are the products and services supporting the mission?

•         Website

•         Technical team including engineers

•         Coordination of a technical team

•         Grants

•         Training for watershed groups

•         Involvement with industry and general public and foundations for funding

•         AMD treatment self-guided tour

•         Model to do presentations

•         Have a hand in the latest technology

•         Legislative liaison

 

•         To promote conservation district staff and directors to take an active role in WPCAMR in reclamation

•         To become a source of legal council/advice

•         Technical services/PE review

 

•         Clearinghouse

•         Coordination

•         Education

•         Brochures, website, newsletter, abandoned mine posts, workshops, presentations, conferences

•         Demonstration projects

•         Inventories (project gob pile)

•         PR equipment (AV)

•         Assist other organizations with long-term planning

•         Pass through

•         Technical database (BMP manual, technologies available)

•         Regional repository for mine reclamation

 

Bruce reported that a focus group of other stakeholders of WPCAMR will be formed some time after the new year.  Suggestions were taken for candidates.

•         County planning groups

•         Municipal officials

•         Mine industry

•         Water authorities

•         Contractors

•         State and federal representatives

•         Sportsmen

•         Transportation

•         Government agencies

•         Power generators

•         Fish and game commission

•         Recreation groups (ATVs)

•         Agriculture

•         Rep. Sam Smith

•         Brad Clemenson

•         Don White

•         Larry Larese (West. Co. planning)

•         Mike Dufalo (Indiana Co. water authority)

•         Mike Meehan (Reliant)

•         Scott Horrell

•         SW Division leader of TU

•         Farmer

•         Economic developer

 

Bruce opened the floor for suggestions.

•         Keep key counties informed and involved

•         Get more district directors involved

•         Get NRCS re-involved

•         Involve the Conservancy

 

The next meeting for the strategic planning committee is November 26, 2002.

 

Meeting minutes taken by Sara Tumulty.