306 Call for Presentations for the 2011 PA AMR Conference 2011-02-11 18:43:54
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Robert Hughes, EPCAMR Executive Director
(570) 371-3523 or rhughes@epcamr.org
Planners for the 13th Annual Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Seek Presenters
The Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), acting as the host for the 13th Annual Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Reclamation (PA AMR) Conference, is seeking presenters to talk. EPCAMR will join forces with the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee to coordinate efforts in the Anthracite Region on August 4-6th, 2011 at the Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites in Hazleton, PA. This years conference will focus around the theme of showcasing coalitions Working Together for Innovation and Success.
The presentations will begin on Friday morning, run through the evening, and continue on Saturday morning through lunch. We look to fill 22 presentation slots this year and plan to divide them into two simultaneous tracks. The presentations and abstracts that we are looking for in 2011 should be related to the following topics:
- Marcellus gas rush and ties to AMD/Mine pool use
- Land reclamation and Brownfields redevelopment projects on AML
- Pennsylvania coal mining history and heritage
- Innovative AMD treatment system designs
- Watershed implementation projects utilizing landscape architecture designs
- Developing qualified hydrologic unit plans for AMD-impacted watersheds
- Sustainable alternative energy initiatives
- Showcases of success in AMD treatment
- Partnerships between watershed groups and industry
- Geothermal projects utilizing underground mine pools
- Operation, Maintenance, & Repairs (OM&R) of AMD treatment systems
- Status of state funds for maintaining existing AMD treatment systems
- Future coal market predictions in Pennsylvania
Professional development hours will be offered. Certificates will be available, upon request, with authorized signatures by members of the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee. Presenters are eligible to receive additional credits beyond attending sessions presented throughout the conference.
If you would like to present, please submit a one page abstract of your presentation, with your name, title, work affiliation, presentation title, and brief biography, by April 30th, 2011, to Robert Hughes, EPCAMR Executive Director. PowerPoint presentations are acceptable. Presenters selected will be expected to pay the conference registration fee, which is reasonably priced for all to attend.
If your presentation is not selected, you will have an opportunity to display it in poster format, which will be available to view during breaks during the conference.
See more details as they become available at www.treatminewater.com.
305 13th Annual PA Conference on Abandoned Mine Reclamation to be held August 4-6th 2011-02-11 18:38:20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Robert Hughes-EPCAMR Executive Director
570-371-3523 or rhughes@epcamr.org
13th Annual Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference to Showcase Coalitions Working Together on Innovations and Success in the Anthracite Region
The Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), acting as the host for the 13th Annual Pennsylvania Abandoned Mine Reclamation (PA AMR) Conference, will join forces with the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee to coordinate efforts in the Anthracite Region on August 4-6th, 2011 at the Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites in Hazleton, PA. This years conference will focus around the theme of showcasing coalitions “Working Together for Innovation and Success.”
This years conference coincides with the celebration of EPCAMR’s 15th anniversary, serving as an environmental organization committed to reclaiming Pennsylvania’s abandoned mine lands, restoring streams impacted by abandoned mine drainage, building partnerships to address water quality problems associated with mining, and educating Pennsylvania’s youth and communities inherently impacted by past mining practices. A dinner/fundraiser will be held on Thursday evening (August 4th), prior to the conference on Friday, to mark this special milestone. Artwork, commissioned by local artists and created utilizing recovered iron oxides, will be auctioned off and several awards will be presented to partners and long-term EPCAMR board members. The EPCAMR staff will present highlights of the success and growth of EPCAMR over the last 15 years.
Discounted room rates are available at the Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites for $70 plus taxes until June 30, 2011. There will be a conference pre-tour, including a boxed lunch, on Thursday afternoon that includes various innovative reclamation and abandoned mine drainage (AMD) treatment systems that are successfully treating polluted water from the underground mines within the Anthracite Region. Tentative stops are sites such as Eckley Miners Village and treatment systems in the Catawissa Creek, Nescopeck Creek, and Schuylkill River watershed, led by volunteers and community leaders from the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, Friends of the Nescopeck, Schuylkill County Conservation District, Catawissa Creek Restoration Association, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation.
The presentations will begin on Friday morning, run through the evening, and again on Saturday morning through lunch. Invited to attend will be the PA Department of Environmental Protections newly appointed Secretary of Mineral Resource Management-Michael Krancer, the Director of the Federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement- Joe Pizarchik, and Renew Growing Greeners Executive Director-Andrew Heath. 22 presentations will be divided into two tracks and two ½-day workshops on Grant Writing and Seeking Community Foundations for Support will run concurrently with the Conference.
The presentations will vary from topics such as the Marcellus “Gas Rush” and ties to AMD / Mine Pool Use, Successful TMDL Implementation, PA Coal Mining History, Watershed Implementation Projects utilizing Landscape Architecture, Developing Qualified Hydrologic Unit Plans, Coal Mine Heritage, Mine Pool Mapping, Sustainable Alternative Energy Initiatives, Showcases of Successes in AMD Treatment, Partnerships between Watershed Groups and Industry, Geothermal Projects utilizing underground Mine Pools, Operation, Maintenance, & Repairs (OM + R) of AMD Treatment systems, the status of State funds for maintaining existing AMD Treatment systems, and Future Coal Market Predictions in PA.
Professional development hours will be offered and certificates will be presented by EPCAMR Staff and members of the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee for authorized signature approval. Presenters at the Conference are eligible to receive additional credits beyond attending sessions presented throughout the Conference.
Travel scholarships, to be reimbursed for vehicle mileage only, will be offered to members of non-profit and community watershed organizations, historic preservation, and conservancy groups. Please be aware that financial assistance will only be granted as a reimbursement basis, as funding allows. In certain instances, discounted registration prices will be provided to groups that can show need, to be determined by the EPCAMR and the AMR Conference Planning Committee.
Friday evening, August 5th, as a part of the 13th Annual AMR Conference, there will be a formal dinner where the Annual Mayfly Award will be presented to this years yet to be announced winner. The Mayfly Award is presented to those individuals who exhibit long-term efforts in addressing mine drainage remediation projects in PA and has contributed greatly towards cleaning up PAs environment from abandoned mine drainage impacts.
EPCAMR is actively looking for sponsorship of this years Conference at the following levels: Platinum ($2000+), Gold ($1000+), and Silver ($500+). Details of the benefits of each of the levels of Sponsorship will be posted on the www.treatminewater.com website shortly as will other Conference materials. A sponsorship wish list is being created to assist with covering costs of the Conference expenses such as the Pre-Conference Tour, Meals, Breaks, Box Lunches, Entertainment, and Travel Scholarships. Exhibitors can set up at the Conference at a cost of ($250) for a space near the hustle and bustle of the Conference happenings in the major hallways and within the large banquet room and a complimentary Conference registration. Non-profit, community groups, student poster presentations, historic preservation groups, and watershed groups will be allowed to exhibit for free, however, will not have access to electricity.
304 The Inquest into the Avondale Colliery Fire 2011-01-26 11:07:33
110 dead miners, mostly welsh men and children! What was the cause of this tragedy and who is to blame? The Eckley Players perform a reenactment based on a book by Robert Wolensky and Joe Keating: Tragedy at Avondale.
At the Irem Temple Country Club, 1340 Country Club Road, Dallas
Saturday February 19th @ 3PM. Please see the flier for more details.
303 Rendell Awards Smallest-Ever Round Of Growing Greener Grants 2011-01-10 11:37:18
Gov. Rendell last week announced the awarding of $14.1 million in grants for 87 projects in 36 counties– $8.13 million from Growing Greener Funds, $4.17 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and $1.8 million from forfeited bonds from mining companies.
The combined state and federal investment is being matched by more than $6.7 million from outside sources. Read more from the PA Environmental Digest
Here are the projects that were awarded in the EPCAMR Region:
EPA 319 Program Funding
Bradford County
Bradford County Conservation District received $161,938.00 for Mill Creek Stream Rehabilitation and Habitat Improvement in West Burlington & Springfield Townships.
Lancaster County
Lancaster County Conservation District received $159,675.00 for the Mill Creek Stream Restoration Project – Phase III in the municipalities of Earl, Leacock, and Upper Leacock.
Luzerne County
The Borough of Harveys Lake received $565,700.00 for Design & Installation of Large Stormwater BMPs at Harveys Lake in Harveys Lake Borough.
Multiple Counties
Tri-County Conewago Creek Association received $108,980.00 for Conewago Creek Stream Restoration Projects (Old Hershey Road to Route 230) in the municipalities of Conewago, Londonderry, and Mt. Joy.
Schuylkill County
Schuylkill County Conservation District received $132,035.00 for the Implementation of the Pine Knot AMD Watershed Study Priority Projects – West Branch Phase #2 in Cass Township.
Growing Greener Program Funding
Bradford County
The Wysox Creek Watershed Association, Inc. received $157,109.00 for Wysox Creek Streambank Stabilization in Wysox, Rome, Orwell, Pike, Windham Twps and Rome Borough.
Carbon County
Carbon County Conservation District received $347,814.00 for Nesquehoning Creek Phase 2 Stabilization.
Lackawanna County
Lackawanna River Corridor Association, Inc. received $54,120.00 for the Lackawanna River Corridor Association Misty Ridge Project, Phase 2 in the municipality of Old Forge.
Lancaster County
City of Lancaster received $225,000.00 for Lancaster City Green Streets in the City of Lancaster
Lancaster Farmland Trust received $75,000.00 for Conservation Plans – Conestoga River Watershed in Multiple municipalities.
Lebanon County
Jonestown Borough received $41,373.00 for Jonestown Rain Garden BMP Design / Construction in Jonestown Borough.
Palmyra Borough received $50,000.00 for Swatara Creek Watershed Stormwater Improvements in Palmyra Borough and North Londonderry Township.
Luzerne County
Earth Conservancy received $400,000.00 for the Hanover 9 Phase II / Parcels B, C and D Reclamation Project in Hanover Township.
Lycoming County
Lycoming County Commissioners received $32,277.00 for the Lycoming County Water Quality Improvement Program
Multiple Counties
Montour County Conservation District received $285,565.00 for the Chillisquaque Creek Watershed Restoration Project in the municipalities of Anthony, Limestone, East Chillisquaque, and Liberty.
Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy received $165,829.00 for Agricultural Impaired Northcentral Stream Restoration.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society received $200,000.00 for TreeVitalize – Phase VII.
Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. received $349,305.00 for the PACD Engineering Assistance Program.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Inc. received $155,954.00 for Watershed Restoration through CREP Buffers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Inc. received $116,883.00 for Statewide Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Implementation.
Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council received $300,000.00 for the Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds (C-SAW VII).
Trout Unlimited, Inc. received $236,000.00 for the AMD Technical Assistance Program.
Stream Restoration Incorporated received $150,000.00 for Passive Treatment O&M Technical Assistance.
Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation received $130,000.00 for Quick Response V.
The Pennsylvania State University received $170,500.00 for the PaOneStop: Online Conservation and Nutrient Management Planner.
Stream Restoration Incorporated received $79,591.00 for the Datashed – Web-based Data Management Tool.
Schuylkill County
City of Pottsville received $300,000.00 for the Sharp Mountain Phase VII Reclamation Project in the City of Pottsville.
Wyoming County
Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association Inc. received $449,000.00 for Phase 3 Windy Valley Construction in Forkston Township.
Borough of Factoryville received $27,450.00 for The Factoryville Borough Stormwater Plan in the municipality of Factoryville.
For a complete listing of the grant awards, please visit DEP’s Growing Greener Webpage.
