ROBERT HUGHES RECEIVES WILLIAM JEANES ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission presented its sixth William W. Jeanes, Sr. Award for Environmental Excellence to Robert E. Hughes for his commitment and dedication to abandoned mine reclamation and abandoned mine drainage (AMD) remediation. Robert Hughes is the executive director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation
(EPCAMR) – a nonprofit organization covering 16 counties in eastern Pennsylvania. The Jeanes Award honors organizations and individuals who contribute to the protection of water          Robert Hughes (left) receives award from
quality.                                                                   SRBC Chair Dr. Robert Summers
                                                                                        
Mr. Hughes is an advocate for innovative, environmental sound reclamation and AMD remediation techniques. Among his notable contributions, he serves as liaison and project coordinator between state, federal and local agencies to complete hundreds of AMD remediation projects. He also coordinates and co-hosts the Annual Statewide Conference on Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Abandoned Mine Drainage Remediation. This conference, which will run July 13-16 this year, brings partners, conservation districts, watershed organizations, environmental professionals, regional non-profit organizations, local governments and consultants together to address AMD – the Commonwealth’s number one non-point source of pollution.

Mr. Hughes is the co-author and creator of an AMD activity/coloring book for elementary-aged school children, which allows area students to understand Pennsylvania’s local geology and water quality impacts due to abandoned mines located throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. The book is available on EPCAMR’s web site at http://www.orangewaternetwork.org/ .

William W. Jeanes, Sr. Award

William W. Jeanes, Sr. Biography

Return to Commission Awards page.