Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
Several presentation abstracts and speaker bios are now posted on the Presenters Page. Please feel free to peruse the information and prepare your self for the ones you would like to hit.
Conference Tip: We are running a 2 track system this year (3, if you count the workshop on Friday), If you want to “see it all” team up with a colleague or 2 to share notes and experiences. We plan to gather each presenters powerpoint or equivalent presentation materials and post them following the conference.
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Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
On behalf of the PA AMR Conference Committee, we would like to encourage you to check out the upcoming agenda for our 13th Annual PA AMR Conference in Hazleton, PA at the Genetti Inn & Suites on August 4-6th. Nearly a 1000 e-mails were sent out the other day to inform past attendees who have come to this great gathering of local community supporters in the field of mine reclamation and mine drainage remediation and to our other partners within the Region. It is the largest network of professionals and community-minded grassroots organizations, along with our State and Federal Partners in PA in one place to focus on our #1 pollution problem in PA, abandoned mine drainage.
We’re looking for Exhibitors and Sponsors for the event as well. Be sure to check out our Sponsor Page at www.treatminewater.com.
To receive the discounted hotel accommodations at Genetti’s, you must call and secure your room by June 30, 2011 for only $70, plus tax/night. That’s a great bargain, right there! So do it today, before it’s too late!
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Monday, May 23rd, 2011
The AMR Conference Committee recently reviewed and tentatively selected several presentations. Please see the Program page for an updated tentative conference schedule. Abstracts will be placed up as they roll in.
Just a reminder that Registration is open and be sure to reserve your overnight rooms at Genetti Inn and Suites by July 3rd to be sure you get the discounted rate.
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Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
The PA AMR Conference Planning Committee is still seeking 2 speaker slots, sponsors, and exhibitors for the 13th Annual AMR Conference on August 4-6th, 2011. We’ve moved the deadline for submission of abstracts to June 30, 2011. The Conference Registration is NOW OPEN and EPCAMR is accepting registrations for attendance, sponsorship, and exhibitors. The ability to pay for this year’s Conference has been made easier for those who would like to pay by credit card by utilizing our EPCAMR Online Store through a secured access portal through PayPal. Conference Registration, Sponsorship, and Exhibitor Information can be found on www.treatminewater.com.
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The presentations will begin on Friday morning, run through the evening, and again on Saturday morning through lunch. 22 competitive presentations are planned for this year’s Conference and will be divided 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
- PA Coal Mining History and Coal Mine 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 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
- Status of State funds for maintaining existing AMD Treatment systems
- Future Coal Market Predictions in PA.
Professional development hours will be offered and certificates will be available upon request with an authorized signature by members of the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee for approval. Presenters are eligible to receive additional credits beyond attending sessions presented throughout the Conference.
Please submit to Robert E. Hughes, EPCAMR Executive Director, a one page Abstract of your presentation, with your Name, Title, Work Affiliation, Presentation Title, and Brief Biography by April 30th, 2011. PowerPoint Presentations are acceptable. There are no specific text or font size limitations on your submission to simplify the submission process. Presenters selected will be expected to pay the Conference Registration Fee, which will be very reasonably priced for all to attend.
If your presentation is not selected, due to the competitive nature, you will have an opportunity to it in a poster presentation format as a secondary option.
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Friday, May 6th, 2011
The US Department of the Interior’s Director of the Federal Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, & Enforcement (OSMRE), Joe Pizarchik, has committed to being our Keynote Luncheon Speaker on August 5th, 2011 at our 13th Annual PA AMR Conference. The PA AMR Conference Planning Committee will be asking Director Pizarchik to speak on a few issues related to the Title IV Abandoned Mine Land Funds, the Set-Aside Program, Funding Cutbacks for FY2011, 2012, and the potential future impacts on communities working in partnership with the OSM on Clean Stream Watershed Initiatives.
Joseph Pizarchik is the 10th Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
Prior to joining OSMRE, Mr. Pizarchik served more than 17 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), rising to Assistant Director in the Bureau of Regulatory Counsel before his appointment as Director of the Bureau of Mining and Reclamation. While at PADEP, he co-authored Pennsylvania’s Environmental Good Samaritan Act, helped develop Pennsylvania’s program for volunteers to clean up abandoned coal refuse sites and provided key legal support in the development of Pennsylvania’s program for mine operators to establish trust funds to meet their financial obligation to perpetually treat the discharges caused by their mining. Mr. Pizarchik is also credited with helping clear the way for the sale of private mining property to the Families of Flight 93 to enable the construction of the memorial.
Mr. Pizarchik began his public service working as legal counsel with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, dealing with contracts, mass transit, aviation, contractor qualifications, and minority business enterprises. Mr. Pizarchik earned a B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. In 2010 he was named a Penn State Alumni Fellow.
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Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Please visit the registration page link for details. Register early and take advantage of discounts. Online payment, as well as the traditional mail in payment, is also available.
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Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
The PA AMR Conference Planning Committee is moving its soft abstract deadline submission from April 30th to May 30th, 2011 to allow for additional presentations to be submitted for consideration. We are still looking for an additional dozen or so abstracts to fill the agenda for the two-day Conference. The draft program agenda is now up on the www.treatminewater.com website for your review. Please submit your abstract to Robert E. Hughes, Executive Director-EPCAMR at rhughes@epcamr.org. Please include your Abstract Summary, Title, Your Position, Your Organization, and a Brief Bio along with the submission.
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Thursday, March 31st, 2011
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has continued to once again support the 13th Annual AMR Conference in 2011 by not only participating on the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee, but will be sponsoring the Conference financially at a value of $5000 towards the coordination, planning, and overall logistical support being provided by EPCAMR and the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee. Several speakers and presenters will be from the PA DEP, including the Acting Secretary Michael Krancer, Mr. Mike Korb-PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation’s Environmental Program Manager, Wilkes-Barre NE Regional Office, and possibly a few other staff from the PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR).
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Friday, March 25th, 2011
Breaker Brewing Company, a local Anthracite Region brewery, located in Plains, PA has offered to provide several sixtles of their seasonal brews come time for the EPCAMR Inaugural Dinner on the 4th of August, and again on Friday Evening, the 5th of August, for the Dinner presentation of the annual MayFly Award sponsored by the PA AMR Conference Planning Committee. Two gentlemen and long time friends, Chris Miller and Mark Lehman, deliver handcrafted beers to bars, local pubs, and to special events like ours throughout the area. They are particularly interested in our Anthracite Mining History locally, and have been supportive of EPCAMR’s efforts in the region.
As to the origin of the name, “Breaker” Brewing Company, it is tied to a time in our not so distant past when the coal breaker was a common sight in the Wyoming Valley and surrounding areas. Mining anthracite coal brought prosperity, fame, and a rich heritage to our little corner of the map, so the name pays tribute to the hard working coal miners who also displayed great determination and strong work ethic to provide for their families, while completing a most dangerous job. It is with pride that the Breaker Brewing Company salutes the men and their families who helped bolster the region’s coal industry. For that, the association of coal mining and Northeast PA is an honor.
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Friday, March 25th, 2011
EPCAMR and the 13th Annual PA AMR Conference Planning Committee would like to thank the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, who are celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year for their Gold Level Sponsorship of this year’s Conference. The sponsorship will be dedicated to the costs of designing, printing, purchasing of the recycled paper stock, ink cartridges, and copy paper that will be used for the Program Booklet and placards for the tables. SRBC has been a major partner in working towards the development and implementation of the AMD Remediation Strategy of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River Basin and are currently working with EPCAMR and many of its Coalition partners to develop and implement an Anthracite Region AMD Remediation Strategy very similar to the one completed by Mr. Thomas Clark, Mine Drainage Program Coordinator, long time colleague and advocate of clean water across PA and the SRBC Staff. For more information see an overview of the SRBC.
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