State Conservation Commission Recognizes Excellence in Protecting PA's Resources

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The State Conservation Commission, or SCC, today honored individuals and organizations throughout Pennsylvania that have dedicated themselves to protecting the state's natural resources, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today.

"Pennsylvania is fortunate to have committed men and women who work each day to conserve our natural resources," said Redding. "We are pleased to have this opportunity to recognize some of the outstanding partners we have across the state."

Among those earning recognition today were three individuals for leadership and distinguished service, one county conservation district, and members of a team of experts who travel throughout the state helping other conservation districts improve their programs and operations.

Among those earning individual honors today were John T. Hines and Dr. Robert Steele. Each received the SCC's Distinguished Service Award for demonstrating outstanding service in areas of conservation.

Hines serves as the deputy secretary for Water Management in the Department of Environmental Protection. He previously served as the lead negotiator for DEP in the final passage of the Water Resources Planning Act in Pennsylvania. Hines was also instrumental in the drafting Annex 2001, a water agreement between eight Great Lakes states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec to improve the lakes' ecosystems.

Steele served as dean of Penn State University's College of Agricultural Sciences for more than 12 years until June 30, 2009. During Steele's tenure as dean, the college added new food science and forest resources buildings and implemented new marketing and recruitment initiatives to attract students to study agriculture sciences. In addition, Steele increased the amount of research funds the university received.

Paul O. Swartz was honored with the Leadership Excellence Award. Swartz is the executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and directs all of the commission's activities, including its water supply program. He also oversees commission programs that deal with water quality, restoring migratory fish to the Susquehanna River, flood protection and flood plain management. Swartz has spent more than 35 years on the front lines of conservation issues, beginning as executive director of the Dauphin County Conservation District from 1974-1981.  

The SCC honored the Lancaster County Conservation District with its Outstanding District Award. Peers credit the district with exhibiting a high level of professionalism when engaging new challenges, serving constituents with innovative approaches, and implementing contracted programs efficiently and effectively. The Lancaster County Conservation District also helped create the "common sense buffer" in order to meet the challenges of the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load requirement.

Finally, the SCC honored members of "Team Visit." Each member belongs to individual conservation districts, but visit programs in other counties to help those operations improve. The members of "Team Visit" include:

• Michael Lovegreen, district manager, Bradford County Conservation District
• Bill Zett, field representative, Pennsylvania DEP
• Joanne Nardone, Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation, Pennsylvania DEP
• Mark Kimmel, manager, York Conservation District
• Ron Rohall, director, Westmoreland Conservation District
• Donna Fisher, manager, Blair Conservation District
• John Orr, manager, Dauphin County Conservation District
• Lynn Sandieson, manager, Crawford Conservation District
• Susan Reed, manager, Clearfield Conservation District
• Donald Robinson, manager (retired), Lancaster Conservation District
• Bruce Chase, director, Bradford Conservation District
• Dave Steele, Southern Alleghenies Resource Conservation and Development
• James Weaver, associate director, Tioga Conservation District
• Karen Ely, conservation program specialist, Pennsylvania DEP
• Susan Beecher, manager (1999-2008), Pike Conservation District
• Marilyn Bok, EMBRS Consulting (1999-2001)

The SCC also congratulated the Huntingdon County Conservation District with more than 92 percent attendance and the Berks and Washington county conservation districts for more than 91 percent attendance. In addition, the SCC recognized the Cambria, Lancaster, and Perry county conservation districts for 60 years of service, as well as the Huntingdon, Schuylkill, and Wayne county conservation districts for 55 years of service.

The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection oversee the State Conservation Commission, which is a 14-member panel that provides oversight and supports the state's 66 county conservation districts.

Media contact: Justin Fleming, 717-787-5085

Editor's Note: Photos available upon request.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture