Operations and Maintenance for Passive Treatment

Presenter:

Pam Milavec
Environmental Services Section Chief
Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation
PA Department of Environmental Protection

Ed Wytovich
President
Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Bob Hedin
Owner & CEO
Hedin Environmental, Inc.

Bernard Hoffnar, PhD
Member, Six Mile Run Area Watershed Committee

Brent Means (Saturday only)
Hydrologist
Office of Surface Mining

Abstract:

Join in a discussion about the current state of operations and maintenance (O&M) for passive treatment systems.  Discuss what is working, what is not, and what can improve the situation.  Learn how government agencies and successful community organizations balance this.  Hear how treatment system designs are being modified.  Leading the discussion is a panel of volunteers, policy setters, and a consultant.  Through stories of success and lessons learned, experience new ideas and fuel the debate with your questions.

Biography:

Pam Milavec is employed by the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation. She works in the Cambria District Office, where she is chief of the Environmental Services Section. This Section is responsible for watershed planning and project development of AMD treatment and abatement projects in the bituminous portion of the state. The Section also provides biological, hydrogeologic and environmental services to the Bureau. Pam has been with DEP for 23 years, working also as a water pollution biologist and water quality specialist. She has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

For 30 years, Ed Wytovich has been actively involved in land and water restoration projects in the Anthracite Region of Northeast Pennsylvania. In 1975 he put his first project on the ground, a wetland reclamation project, and has since had a hand in starting ten watershed organizations. Characterized as an "active environmentalist," Ed is an 8th grade science teacher at Upper Dauphin Area Middle School as well as president of the Catawissa Creek Restoration Organization and both a charter member and president of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR).

Bob Hedin owns Hedin Environmental, a small firm that specializes in passive mine water treatment and stream restoration.  Bob’s training is as an ecologist and he spent 6 years between 1987 and 1994 working as a research biologist with the US Bureau of Mines in Pittsburgh where his projects included passive treatment and minewater geochemistry.  For the last ten years, Hedin Environmental has worked with watershed associations in PA to promote stream restoration activities.  Bob and his employees have been involved in all stages of project development and implementation.

Bernard Hoffnar is an active member of the Six Mile Run Area Watershed Committee, WPCAMR, PA DER's Citizens Advisory Council, and PA DER's Mining & Reclamation Advisory Board. He was a Special Science & Technology Resources Team Member with PA DEP until September 2003. Mr. Hoffnar has also served as director of the Bedford County Conservation board for 15 years, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and president of the National Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. He has received the Conservation Hall of Fame Award from the USDA and Natural Resources Conservation Service in 1996 "For lifelong achievements and dedicated service in conserving and protecting Pennsylvania's natural resources." In 1991, the PA Federation of Sportsman Clubs named Mr. Hoffnar Conservation Professional of the Year. He is now retired and manages a Christmas tree farm in Broad Top Township.

Brent Means holds a MS degree in Hydrogeology from Wright State University. He previously worked for USGS and was in coal consulting before joining OSM 6 years ago in the Harrisburg Field Office. Brent has made mine water treatment his passion; acting as a leader within the agency for the development of new and improved treatment technologies; Brent is the technical lead in development of AMDTreat, software developed to cost out treatment options and determine financial forecasting of future expenditures. Also Brent has been a lead developer and instructor of the OSM Passive Treatment Course and has been instrumental in developing the technical program for the Mine Water Treatment Conference.