The PA AMR Conference Planning Committee is developing a conference program! Here is a list of approved presentations in no particular order. Stay tuned for more…
Opening Keynote: Nate Houtz, PA DEP Deputy Secretary for Active and Abandoned Mine Operations
Nathan Houtz serves as the Deputy Secretary for Active and Abandoned Mine Operations. As Deputy Secretary, he oversees the Bureaus of Mining Programs,
Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Mine Safety, and District Mining Operations. Nathan began his career with the Department in 2002 as a Professional Geologist with the Pottsville District Mining Office. He continued his career in Pottsville as the Environmental Group Manager supervising the permitting section from 2007 to 2017. He then moved to the Moshannon District Mining Office as the District Mining Manager from 2017 to 2022. From there, he moved to Harrisburg and served as the Director of the Bureau of Mining Programs from 2022 to 2024. Nathan has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Video Address: Congressman Glenn (GT) Thompson
A life-long resident of Howard, Pa., Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson represents Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which is not only PA’s largest Congressional District, but it is also the District with the largest AML inventory in the entire nation. Congressman Thompson has been a perennial champion in AML efforts during his service, being instrumental in the reauthorization of the collection fees associated with SMCRA in 2006 and again in 2021.
Fireside Chat with PA’s Community Watershed Leaders: Part 1
To celebrate this year’s conference theme of “From Our Roots to the Future,” Part 1 of the fireside panel will consist of short presentations on each panelists’ environmental non-profit’s origins and successes.
Fireside Chat with PA’s Community Watershed Leaders: Part 2
Part 2 of the fireside panel will consist of a Q&A with our panelists emceed by Deb Nardone, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.
Panelists: Larry Hutchinson, Shade Creek Watershed Association; Ed Wytovich, Catawissa Creek Restoration Association; Carla Ruddock, Mountain Watershed Association; Steve Motyka, Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance
“Benefits of AMLER Project Partnerships” – Jim Panaro, Robindale Energy
Summary overview of AMLER projects Robindale has completed or has currently in progress and lessons learned in process with BAMR and other project partners.
Stineman – Cambria County, Kerbaugh Road – Blair County, Thompsontown – Clearfield County, Tide – Indiana County (This project list may be revised).
Jim is the current Vice President of Robindale Energy, where he has worked for 24 years. He has over 35 years of experience in the industry and graduated from Pennsylvania State University.
“Rare Earth Element Recovery from Acid Mine Drainage Using a Sequential Treatment Process” – Travis Tasker, Saint Francis University
Acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment solids, and coal mine waste are a potential source of rare earth elements (REE). However, an ongoing challenge is to develop economical and environmentally friendly methods for extracting REE from these wastes. During mine drainage treatment, REE and associated aqueous complexes may form surface complexes (i.e., adsorption) with hydrous ferric oxides (Hfo), hydrous aluminum oxides (Hao), and hydrous manganese (III-IV) oxides (Hmo), yielding treatment solids with dilute REE concentrations. The work herein describes laboratory experiments and computations used to explain these reactions and how they could influence strategies for recovering REE from mine drainage. Understanding these reactions, led to the development of a three step process for recovering and concentrating REE during mine water treatment. This three step process was tested in bench scale reactors and enriched REE in solids 10 fold compared to control experiments simulating active AMD treatment. The challenges and potential opportunities in implementing this type of treatment process are discussed.
Dr Tasker is an associate Professor of Environmental Engineering and has been with St Francis for 7 years. He has a PhD in environmental Engineering
“BAMR Accomplishments and Future Priorities” – Joe Sassaman, PA DEP
Presentation will highlight significant reclamation projects from 2024 and discuss future reclamation priorities of the bureau.
Joe is the Assistant Bureau Director for PA DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR). He has 17 years of experience with BAMR and has an MS in Geoenvironmental Studies, LPG.
“Proactive Mine Pool Management: Implementing a Remote Telemetry Monitoring Network in Pennsylvania’s Bituminous District”- Scot May, PA DEP BAMR
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (DEP BAMR) is currently initiating a long-term monitoring program to address the challenges posed by deep mine pools in the bituminous district of Pennsylvania. These mine pools, remnants of extensive historical coal mining, present significant risks of blowouts, subsidence, and other adverse environmental impacts if left unmanaged. To enhance proactive readiness and improve mitigation strategies, DEP BAMR is establishing an innovative network of monitoring wells equipped with remote telemetry systems. This technology will provide real-time data on water levels, pressure changes, and other critical parameters, enabling immediate response to fluctuations indicative of potential hazards. The program aims to develop a robust dataset to predict trends and model behaviors within the interconnected mine pool systems. By integrating these monitoring efforts with geospatial analysis and predictive modeling, the initiative seeks to bolster the state’s ability to anticipate and prevent catastrophic events. This presentation will outline the program’s design, early implementation steps, and the broader implications for mine pool management in Pennsylvania and beyond. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging advanced telemetry for sustainable reclamation practices and enhancing community and environmental resilience in areas impacted by legacy mining activities.
Scot May, P.G., Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Investigation Section
“A Guide to Prevailing Wage and Responsible Bidding for Watershed Organizations and Other Non Profits” – James Kunz, III, Pennsylvania Foundation for Fair Contracting
In this presentation, non-government entities, such as watershed organizations, will be introduced to prevailing wage and responsible bidding concepts. Many private organizations receive funding through state or federal grants/loans/etc. to pay for construction projects, including abandoned mine reclamation work. Those funding sources often require that the organization comply with the requirements of the PA Prevailing Wage Act/Davis-Bacon Act. This presentation will serve as a primer to what those requirements are, how to navigate compliance, as well as ensure the contractors they employ are in compliance as well. The presentation will also discuss strategies to encourage that bidders are responsible, high road contactors. This will help ensure those contractors will respect environmental, safety, and wage and hour laws while completing the project on time and on budget.
James has worked for Pennsylvania Foundation for Fair Contracting for 9 years. He has spent 16 years in the industry.
“Blacklick Creek – The Future Looks Bright” – Jon Smoyer and Ryan Farabaugh, PA DEP BAMR
In keeping with the conference theme, a review of the history of the coal mining in Vintondale and Wehrum and how it set the stage for the pollution and recovery of the Blacklick Creek will be presented. BAMR’s $28 million AMD Treatment Plant that began running in the spring of 2025 will be highlighted along with the beginnings of post treatment water quality data.
“Waste Gas capture from Abandoned Mines” – Brent Bobsein, CNX Resources
Mines necessarily vent methane out of the workings for safety purposes, but little is being done to capture this resource and utilize it. Today waste methane from mines is predominantly being vented as a potent greenhouse gas, which continues for decades after a mine has been inactivated or abandoned. This needs to change, and we have now been given a rare opportunity to harness a new energy source while furthering economic development in coal country, particularly in Pennsylvania, and in other industrial communities across the Nation. CNX has pioneered a project to capture waste methane from abandoned mines, and bring it to market as Remediated Mine Gas, or RMG, one of just three such RMG operations in the US. The U.S. EPA has identified over 60 RMG project opportunities from abandoned mines which could lead to thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic output. If leveraged correctly, RMG projects can lead to additional energy infrastructure being built out, getting a reliably dispatchable fuel to market, improving grid resilience, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and driving manufacturing and AI investment to these underserved areas.
Mr. Bobsein is Vice President of Sustainable Development with CNX Resources. He has worked for CNX for 13 years and graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
“Mosaics, Maps, and Multi-Colliery Hydrogeologic Units: EPCAMR’s Efforts to Advance Mine Pool Mapping Models to Address AMD throughout the Anthracite Region” – Robert Hughes & Michael Hewitt, EPCAMR
Digging deeper into the historic mine maps that are now available through the Mine Map Atlas, private collections, OSMRE Folios, and National Mine Map Repository, EPCAMR and other universities have scanned, catalogued, digitized, geo-referenced, and converted into mine map mosaics (a quilt of sorts for each layer of coal and the surface mine maps) to help us develop innovative 3D models of the underground mines in PA. A decade ago, these were not available to the general public in digital form. Learn about multi-colliery hydrogeologic units (MCUs), the tedious nature of converting the 2D maps to 3D, and the analyses that we go through to determine connections, interconnections, and perched mine pools. View the steps and processes that take place before one can truly know the boundaries of area mine pools across PA and understand their hydrogeologic connections in the Commonwealth’s complex structural geology of the Anthracite Region.
Bobby Hughes is the Executive DIrector at EPCAMR. Michael Hewitt is the Program Manager at EPCAMR.
“The Economic Effects of Restoring Mine-Impaired Waterways” – Jeremy Weber, University of Pittsburgh
This presentation will provide initial findings from a research project on the broader community economic benefits from restoration of mine-impaired waterways in Pennsylvania. This will include quantitative analysis of economic trends over 1990-2020 for communities (Census tracts) with low, medium, and high initial levels of impairment as well as for communities that have had substantial restoration over the 30-year period. The presentation will also cover perspectives gleaned from interviews with stakeholders in six watersheds across Pennsylvania.
Dr. Weber is a professor at University of Pittsburgh, School of Public and International Affairs. He has been at Pitt for 11 years and has a PhD in Applied Economics.
“EPA ROAR Research Project, Sampling for Critical Rare Earth Metals (CREMS) in Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and Coal Refuse in Shamokin PA and Surrounding Communities to Inform Long-term Mine Pool Treatment and Land Reclamation” – Bette Conway, EPA Region 3
The goals of the Region 3 Shamokin Project were: to identify quantities of rare earth elements (REEs) in acid mine drainage (AMD) and coal refuse; evaluate AMD data using USGS water-quality model; to identify optimal REE extraction/treatment strategies, and OSMRE’s model; for treatment cost analysis of long term operations and maintenance (O&M); develop a publicly available toolkit for optimal REE extraction/treatment strategies; and establish best practices for evaluation of treatment technologies for dual AMD/REE extraction facilities. This project could be a model for AMD treatment/CREMs extraction projects throughout Region 3 and other Regions affected by AMD and coal refuse.
Bette is a Licensed Professional Geologist who works in the US EPA Region 3 Water Division, a lead reviewer and technical expert for Clean Water Act coal mine permitting, and represents Region 3 on the EPA’s National Mining Team. Prior to joining the EPA, Bette worked in a number of positions within state and local government, and also in private industry as an environmental consultant. She received her BS in Geology from Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana in 1984 with a focus on coal, geology, and mineralogy.
“Scaling Up Mined Land Reforestation in Appalachia” – Eric Oliver, Green Forests Work
Green Forests Work (GFW) has been awarded a grant from NFWF to perform an inventory of mined land throughout Appalachia where an opportunity remains for reforestation. This presentation will discuss the planning and process that is taking place to determine the sites from northern Alabama to the PA/NY border. It will also outline the deliverables of the grant that will be publicly available for other agencies and organizations to help them find projects in their area of concern.
GFW’s vision is to create a renewable and sustainable multi-use resource that will provide economic opportunities while enhancing the local and global environment. By converting reclaimed, non-native grasslands and shrublands into healthy, productive forestland, GFW is effectively addressing two needs of the region. Our reforestation projects provide jobs for equipment operators, nursery workers, and tree planters, and improve the environment by eradicating non-native species and restoring ecosystem services. Since 2009, we’ve planted over 7.5 million trees across more than 15,000 acres.
Eric the Restoration Coordinator for Green Forests Work, where he has been for 3 yearsj. Eric has 37 years experience in reforestation and his education includes: Clarion University, BS in Earth Science, PSU World Campus, Masters Certificate in GIS
“Strategic Investments using Grant Funding for Environmental Improvements” – Carl DeLuca, PA DEP
Presentation on how Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener and Section 319 Nonpoint Source grant programs empower communities to restore and protect their local water resources. It will highlight successful projects funded through these programs—showcasing how strategic investments have led to measurable environmental improvements. Attendees will gain insight into the application process, funding obligations, and the importance of partnerships between local governments, nonprofits, and landowners. By examining real-world examples, we’ll demonstrate how collaborative efforts, and responsible stewardship can transform grant dollars into lasting ecological change.
Mr DeLuca has 31 years experience with PA DEP. He attended Wilkes University for a BS in Environmental Science (water quality concentration); Penn State University Masters EPC Program
“2025 Mayfly Award and Shade Creek Watershed Association Presentation”
During the Banquet Dinner, the Shade Creek Watershed Association was given the opportunity to talk about the organization and present the Mayfly Award to Larry Hutchinson.
“Challenges and Opportunities for AML Reclamation in the 119th Congress” – Tom Clarke, IMCC
Just five years ago, the future of the nation’s coal AML programs appeared to have been secured with adoption of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). In today’s political environment, however, maintaining the gains made in the IIJA has become the challenge. Despite the real challenges facing coal AML, there is reason for optimism for the perpetually underfunded hardrock AML program
“How Many Discharge Flows are Enough?” – Tom Clark, Kleinfelder
When treatment systems fail, the primary cause is usually under sizing due to not having a large enough flow dataset. For many years, 12-flows over a given hydrologic year was always the minimum desired to design from, but is that enough? Kleinfelder’s work on the Shade Creek Active Treatment Plant Development Project is a good example of that amount not being enough, and, in actuality, it isn’t close. Shade Creek’s historical discharge flow data, which is immense compared to nearly every other discharge in the Commonwealth, will be used to demonstrate how even seemingly enormous flow datasets can still not be enough for adequate sizing and how transducers installed over 2025 capturing flows around the clock helped select the correct size of ATP for the real discharge flow statistics.
Tom is currently a Project Development Coordinator with Kleinfelder and has 28 years of experience in the field of AMR. He has a BS from Pitt and a MS from Cal U.
“Project Background, Development and Design for the Little Conemaugh Mine Drainage Treatment Plant Project, Cambria County, PA” – Eric Cavazza, Tetra Tech
The Little Conemaugh River Watershed is significantly impaired by drainage from abandoned coal mining operations. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) in partnership with several other federal, state, and local government entities and non-governmental organizations began efforts in 2016 to restore the Little Conemaugh River from its headwaters to its confluence with the Stonycreek River in downtown Johnstown – a distance of approximately 15 stream miles. The effort is focused on the three most upstream major AMD discharges including the Hughes Borehole, the Sonman Borehole Discharges, and the Miller Shaft Discharge. Based on the PA DEP’s Acid Mine Drainage Set-Aside Program Implementation Guidelines, a restoration goal of biological recovery of the stream to support a recreational fishery was established. The water quality goals include maintaining the stream pH between 6.0 and 9.0, the alkalinity greater than acidity, the total iron less than 1.5 mg/L, the total aluminum less than 0.5 mg/L, and the total dissolved solids (TDS) less than 1,500 mg/L during normal stream flow. The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) has been a major partner in the restoration effort. FPW purchased property and obtained permanent right of way for a large-scale active mine drainage treatment plant (12,000 GPM maximum hydraulic capacity) and for a mine water conveyance and transfer pipeline using their own funds. PA DEP awarded FPW an Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funded AMD Grant in September 2023 to complete the design and permitting of the mine drainage treatment plant. FPW awarded a contract to Tetra Tech through a competitive RFP process to complete the design of the Little Conemaugh Mine Drainage Treatment Plant (LCMDTP) in December 2024. Tetra Tech has been working sincethat time in partnership with PA DEP, FPW, OSMRE, and other stakeholders has developed the basis of design and completed the 35% design submittal. Background information including details about the abandoned mines, the major discharges (flow and chemistry), and the current design plan and schedule for the LCMDTP will be presented.
Mr. Cavazza has an impressive 41 years of experience in the field of Abandoned Mine Reclamation. He is currently VP of Legacy Coal Restoration with Tetra Tech.
“BMP Conversion for AMD Refurbishment” – Tim Denicola, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
In the mid-1990’s an acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment project was constructed to remediate hundreds of gallons per minute of mine water utilizing anoxic limestone drains and compost-limestone beds. The treatment footprint was approximately 3.5 acres. After 20+ years of operation the system required refurbishment and the landowner desired the land be returned to a usable condition. CEC proposed an oxic treatment system having smaller footprint to achieve the desired treatment effect. CEC performed calculations to assess heterogeneous iron oxidization rates under fluctuating temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions. Calculations estimated volume of precipitated sludge. The detailed calculations allowed the project team to appropriately size a series of alkalinity generating and oxidation inducing treatment practices in series while managing precipitated solids along the treatment path, and provided the client an estimate of treatment performance under varying climatic and site conditions. The project was constructed during 2024-2025 and is currently achieving similar contaminate reductions in an approximate 0.5 acre footprint.
Mr. Denicola has been with CEC for 9 of his 18 years in the industry. He has a BS in Chemistry from Clarion and a Masters in Geology from West Virginia University
“Economic & Environmental Benefits of the PA Coal Refuse Reclamation to Energy Industry” – Jaret Gibbons, ARIPPA
In 2025, ARIPPA will be releasing an updated report prepared by Econsult Solutions, a Philadelphia-based economic consulting firm, analyzing the economic and environmental benefits of the coal refuse reclamation to energy facilities in Pennsylvania. The new report incorporates recently conducted research on the air emissions reductions realized by the industry. This presentation will focus on the results of the soon to be released study.
Jaret has served as the Executive Director for ARIPPA for 7 years. He received a Bachelor’s degree in political science & business administration from Duquesne University; Law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
“Abandoned to Active: Navigating Past and Present Coal Mining Impacts” – Stacey Magda, Mountain Watershed Association
Join Mountain Watershed managing community organizer, Stacey Magda, to explore the world of leading conversations that focus on the value of water, community impacts, extensive mine reclamation while dealing with ongoing and expanding current coal mining activity. We will dive deep into the history of coal mining in the Indian Creek watershed where over 119 mine discharges are occurring, three decades of multi-million dollar remediation, and the mechanisms we’ve used to leverage our work with new coal mining in the area.
Stacey has been with Mountain Watershed Association for 5 years. She has 13 years in community support and organizing in the Laurel Highlands region.
“New Grant Opportunities and Mentorship Programs” – Deb Nardone, Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds
The funding scene has changed quite dramatically over the past few years. Record investments for water quality improvements is now available to non-profits to solve complicated pollution problems once thought too expensive to fix. These funds also come with increased reporting, sometimes complicated and confusing mandates, and ever changing requirements as agencies face mandates from the federal government. The Foundation for PA Watersheds (FPW) will present a few new grant opportunities and available training and mentorship programs to help local communities succeed in project implementation and leveraging large grants.
Deb is the Executive Director for the Foundation of Pennsylvania Watersheds. She has spent over 30 years working on water quality issues. Deb has a BS from Juniata college in geology and political science, MS from Penn State in Environmental Pollution Control.
“Mosquito Creek Watershed Restoration: A Model for Acidic Stream and Watershed Restoration in the Pennsylvania Anthracite Coal Region” – Brian C. Bonner, P.E. & Jacob E. Smith, E.I.T., ARM Group LLC
This presentation will cover the design, implementation, maintenance, and monitoring of passive treatment systems for acidified stream conditions. It will focus on the combined effects of acidic deposition and unconsolidated mine discharges within the upper Swatara Creek watershed in Schuylkill County. Additionally, it will discuss stream restoration strategies in Pennsylvania’s coal regions prone to chronic and episodic acidification, while sharing key lessons learned and practical advice for professionals working in acid-impaired watersheds.
Brian Bonner is a Senior Engineer with 23 years of experience in the industry and 12 years with ARM Group.
“Critical Mineral Recovery from Acid Mine Drainage: A Path to Supply Chain Resilience” – Mohammad Rezaee, The Pennsylvania State University
Acid mine drainage (AMD) has long been an environmental concern, but recent research has revealed it as a potential source of critical elements, including rare earth elements (REEs), aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn). Recovering these elements during AMD treatment not only addresses environmental compliance but also enhances process sustainability and strengthens domestic supply chains for critical minerals. The selective recovery of critical minerals during the AMD neutralization process is strongly influenced by solution chemistry, available ligands, and element concentrations. At Penn State, we have developed a patented staged-precipitation process that enables the selective recovery of these valuable elements while ensuring environmental compliance. In the first stage, iron (Fe) is selectively recovered through aeration-induced oxidation and pH adjustment. In the subsequent stages, Al and REEs are recovered via a two-step carbonate precipitation process at pH levels of 5 and 7. Finally, critical transition metals such as Co, Ni, and Mn are precipitated through a chemical-free ozone oxidative precipitation method. The precipitates from each stage can be further refined to produce high-purity products. This presentation will provide an in-depth discussion of the process, including optimization and kinetics, along with progress toward scaling up to a 1000-gallon-per-day treatment system.
Mohammad Rezaee is Associate Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering with the Pennsylvania State University for 8 years.
“Understanding Barriers to Remediation of the Beech Creek Watershed – A Transdisciplinary Approach” – Grace Lewis & Mobashsira Tasnim, Penn State University
What perceptions do residents and recreationists of an AMD impacted watershed hold toward AMD remediation strategies? What is the potential for an educational, outreach-based ArcGIS platform to enhance participation and involvement in AMD solutions?
In this presentation, Penn State graduate students will share their findings from a semester-long research project featuring the land, water, and people of the Beech Creek Watershed that took place in the spring of 2025.
Grace and Mobashsira are both graduate students at Penn State.
“A Checkup for Your Limestone Bed: Measuring Your Limestone Bed’s Vitals via Porosity and Tracer Tests” – Olivia Weaver, Hedin Environmental
From 2022 to 2024, Hedin Environmental oversaw and evaluated the cleaning of 36,000 tons of limestone aggregate at 18 passive treatment system limestone beds to test different aggregate cleaning methods. To evaluate these cleaning methods, we measured water quality and conducted tracer tests, porosity tests, and potential alkalinity generation tests before and after cleaning. In this talk, we will discuss the methods we developed to evaluate limestone beds, lessons learned, and how determine the health of your limestone bed.
Olivia has been with Hedin Environmental for 3 years as a geologist. Co-authors Neil Wolfe, Ben Hedin, and Bob Hedin.
“Upper Shamokin Creek Watershed Investigation and Conceptual Restoration Plan” – Bill Burgos, Tetra Tech
The Upper Shamokin Creek watershed is underlain by the Western Middle Anthracite Coalfield and severely impacted by abandoned mine drainage (AMD) from coal mining operations. Tetra Tech was retained by Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance to complete a watershed assessment and conceptual restoration plan for this watershed. Recommended reclamation strategies included sealing stream channels where clean surface water is flowing into the abandoned mine workings; reclamation of abandoned mine land (AML); and AMD treatment. Extensive underground workings in the complex folded structures of the coalfield have led to the formation of several multi-colliery units (MCUs) that have flooded and now discharge to the surface throughout the watershed. New and historical flow and chemistry measurements from the largest AMD sources suggest that 60% to 64% of the baseflow downstream of the city of Shamokin was sourced from mine pools in the upper watershed. Active treatment of AMD sources in the upper Shamokin Creek watershed is required to meet the stream restoration goal of restoring the sport fishery in the lower Shamokin Creek watershed. The capture and conveyance of the nine largest AMD sources to two regional mine drainage treatment plants (MDTPs) was proposed. Information on the MCUs, characteristics of the AMD sources, conveyance options, and conceptual designs of the MDTPs will be presented.
Bill has spent 25 years in the field of environmental engineering and 2 years at Tetra Tech as a senior Environmental engineering specialist. He has a PhD in Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech.
“Answering the FAQs of PA DEP’s AML/AMD Grant Program: Part 1″ – Johnny Green, PA DEP BAMR
“Answering the FAQs of PA DEP’s AML/AMD Grant Program: Part 2″ – Heather Agosta, PA DEP BAMR
These sessions will review the Abandoned Mine Land and Abandoned Mine Drainage Grant Program Guidance and answer frequently asked questions regarding the Program, the Program Goals, funding, and more. Anyone interested in learning more and digging into the guts of the AML/AMD Grant Program should plan to attend.
Johnny is the Grant Coordinator for Anthracite Region the AML/AMD Grant Program. Heather is the Grant Coordinator for Bituminous Region the AML/AMD Grant Program.
Request for Presentations
The PA AMR Conference Planning Committee is no longer accepting presentation proposals for this conference. Please use our Request for Presentations form to let us know you are interested and to submit information about your presentation.
We encourage a wide range of topic submissions, including but not limited to:
- New abandoned mine drainage (AMD) treatment system technologies, tools, and products
- Construction case studies and lessons learned
- Land remediation, reforestation, and reuse
- Water quality monitoring
- Operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of treatment systems
- Non-profit organization capacity issues
- Community involvement, special events, education, and outreach
- Coal mining history and heritage preservation
- Mapping, drones, equipment, and other helpful new technologies
- Legislative updates and concerns at all levels of government
- Economic redevelopment, health and safety, and quality of life topics
- Climate change, energy, and AMD
In the past, we have had such varied topics as the history of baseball in coal patch towns, prevention of Lyme disease, preserving collieries, computer software designed technologies, reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Fund, economic benefits of reclamation, abandoned mine land issues in Germany and Bolivia, the establishment and support of non-profit organizations, and everything in between. If your topic can be related to what our community does, we would love to consider it for the conference!
Submissions and questions should be emailed to Anne Daymut at anne@wpcamr.org.