WPCAMR Quarterly Meeting

Rustic Lodge, Indiana, PA

MEETING MINUTES

February 13, 2003

 

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 13, 2003 at the Rustic Lodge in Indiana, PA.

           

The following were in attendance:

            Dave Rupertt – Armstrong CD                        Dave Beale – Armstrong CD

            Amy Gottesfeld – Kettle Creek W/A               John Larson – Kettle Creek W/A

            Pat Trimble – Yough River                              Jim Resh – Indiana CD

            Tim Moberg – Cambria CD                             Scott Horrell – BAMR

            Jackie Ritko – Cambria CD                             Beth Dillon – SRBC

            Dennis Beck – Cambria CD                             Deb Simko – WPCAMR

            Paul Heyworth – Westmoreland CD               Sara Tumulty – WPCAMR

            Bruce Golden – WPCAMR                             Bernie Hoffnar – DEP

            LeeRoy Vatter – WPCAMR                            Shawn Wessell – Jefferson CD

            William Gresock – Jefferson CD                     JoAnne Ferraro – Indiana SEC

            Todd Beers – Jefferson CD                              Jim Panaro – Robindale

            Carl Jones – Somerset CD                              Tom Miller – Indiana SEC, AWARE

            Pam Milavec – DEP BAMR                           Dave Steele – Somerset CD

            Jeff Fliss – DEP                                              Hank Webster – Clearfield CD

            Jim Eckenrode – Blair CD

             

Welcome / Introductions

            LeeRoy Vatter welcomed all in attendance. 

 

Treasurer’s Report

Bruce Golden 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 Bill Gresock. Motion carried.

 

Review of Past Minutes

The minutes from the last meeting were distributed.  A motion to accept the minutes was made by Paul Heyworth and was seconded by Dennis Beck.  Motion carried.

 

Old Business

Passing Go: Strategic Planning Workshop for Watersheds - Deb Simko reported the first Passing Go training was a success with 23 groups in attendance.

Ohio River Basin (“No Name”) Alliance – Deb reported that WPCAMR has submitted a Growing Greener grant to form the Ohio River Basin Alliance.

Treatment System Monitoring and Evaluation – Bruce Golden reported that WPCAMR has submitted a Growing Greener grant to revisit the 18 WPCAMR projects.

Decision Maker Grant Program – Sara Tumulty gave an update on the decision maker grant.

 

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.

 

Nominating Committee Recommendations

Jim Resh provided the nominations for the new officers.  The nominees were: President – Bob Eppley, Vice-President – Dennis Beck, Secretary – Jim Panaro, and Treasurer – Greg Phillips. 

 

Election of Officers

The floor was opened for nominations.  Bill Gresock nominated LeeRoy Vatter for President.  The nomination was declined by LeeRoy.  There were no further nominations for president.  Unanimous ballot for Bob Eppley.  There were no further nominations for vice-president.  Unanimous ballot for Dennis Beck.  There were no further nominations for secretary.  Unanimous ballot for Jim Panaro.  There were no further nominations for treasurer.  Unanimous ballot for Greg Phillips.  A motion to close nominations was made by Dave Steele and seconded by Jim Resh.  Motion carried.

 

WPWPP Grant Award for Gob Pile

Bruce Golden reported that WPCAMR has received a $10,000 WPWPP grant to continue the gob pile project.  The money will be used to hire a part time person to prioritize the gob piles.

 

Extra Contractual Work Performed by Staff

Bruce Golden opened the floor for discussion about compensating staff for extra contractual work.  The issue was discussed.  Jim Resh suggested forming a committee to explore the issue.  Jim Resh, Dennis Beck, and Dave Steele have volunteered.

 

Strategic Planning Process

            Bruce Golden gave an update on the strategic planning process and distributed results thus far.  The floor was opened for comment.  A focus group will meet on March 7, 2003.  The next strategic planning core meeting will be March 13, 2003.

 

RWSI Grant Awards

            Deb Simko distributed a list of recipients of the RWSI grants.

 

Recommendation for Water Resource Committee

            Deb Simko asked if WPCAMR wanted to send a recommendation for the water resource committee.  The floor was opened for discussion.  A motion was made by Hank Webster that WPCAMR request to member conservation districts that they submit a letter and resume to WPCAMR if they have someone they would like to recommend to serve on the regional board.  The motion was seconded by Dennis Beck.  Motion carried.

 

Legislative Involvement Discussion

            Deb Simko suggested that WPCAMR needs to recruit more legislative involvement.  The floor was opened for discussion.

 

AMD Conference Planning

            Bruce Golden reported on the status of the AMD Conference planning.  The conference will take place May 16-17, 2003 in Mayfield, PA.  Scholarships will be available to defer transportation costs.

 

Orphaned Mine Status, SCRIP Resolution

            Bruce Golden reported that a MRAB task force has been formed to address the issue of orphaned mines.  The MRAB task force will be meeting February 19, 2003 in Harrisburg.  Many feel the representation of that task force is too narrow.  SCRIP has written a resolution to address the issue.

 

Iron Oxide Pigmented Paint Give-away Grant Application

            Bruce Golden reported that WPCAMR and EPCAMR have jointly applied for a resource recovery grant to give away iron oxide pigmented paint and provide outreach for resource recovery.

 

AML Trust Fund Workgroup

Bruce Golden reported that Tim Shafer has received a grant to form a workgroup and provide education and outreach about the reauthorization of the AML trust fund.  Paul Heyworth encouraged WPCAMR to support the group but to also pursue the issue immediately.

 

AMDEC Growing Greener Submittal

            Bruce Golden reported that St. Vincent College has submitted a Growing Greener grant for AMDEC to develop an AMD curriculum and teacher training to meet the PA environmental standards.  WPCAMR is an active member of AMDEC.

 

Joint EPCAMR/WPCAMR Meeting

            Bruce Golden suggested that WPCAMR pursue the idea of holding a joint EPCAMR/WPCAMR meeting in State College during the summer to exchange ideas.  Hank Webster suggested that the meeting be held in Harrisburg instead in order to better include legislators.  A motion to hold a joint EPCAMR/WPCAMR meeting was made by Dave Rupert and seconded by Paul Heyworth.  Motion carried.

 

Open Discussion/Questions/Comments

LeeRoy Vatter opened the meeting for open discussion.

 

Annual Meeting

            WPCAMR’s next meeting will be held Thursday, May 22, 2003.

 

Adjourn

A motion to adjourn was made by Dave Rupert and seconded by Bill Gresock.  Motion carried.

 

Meeting minutes taken by Sara Tumulty.