The annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration on September 27 was another great success as over 700 watershed enthusiasts and 300 students took advantage of a cruise in two Gateway Clipper boats on Pittsburgh’s three rivers to network and learn more about restoring and protecting their watersheds.

As part of the Celebration, event organizers recognized four environmental leaders in Western Pennsylvania and gave prizes to eight different groups with poster presentations on the networking cruise.

The environmental leaders recognized during the event include--

Recreation - The Ohio River Trail Council - Dr. Vincent Troia, Executive Chairman & CEO.

The ORT is a project spearheaded by the Ohio River Trail Council, a non-profit volunteer-led corporation that works to bring individuals, communities, businesses, recreational users and all levels of government together to promote and protect a continuous corridor of natural and cultural resources along the Ohio River and its tributaries.

The ORTC's goal is to honor our past and build our future by providing recreation opportunities, environmental stewardship, heritage development, safe transportation networks and economic stimulus to our community.

Trails preserve and exhibit historically significant locations and routes that provide an enduring record of the past and educational opportunities into the heritage and culture of our nation. Linear trails connect neighborhoods, schools, parks and riverfronts as well as linking historical forts, bridges, dams, canals, buildings and villages.

“Through recognition of these cultural, historical, and natural assets, greenways enhance a sense of community identity.” Greenways are shared places where we can come to know our neighbors as more than someone we simply pass in the car -- windows rolled up -- a small wave the extent of our communication.

Government Service - Jack Rokavek of the Fish and Boat Commission.

The Fish and Boat Commission has been working tirelessly to protect some of the greatest environmental assets within the Ohio River watershed, our recreational lakes.  Their efforts have helped secure critical state funding required to address public safety concerns associated with the high hazard dams which create those recreational lakes. 

Without these efforts, the dams would need to be removed, which would result in the loss of their diverse ecosystems and habitats as well as recreational opportunities for the public. 

Leading the efforts to rehabilitate these dams for the PFBC is Jack Rokavek.  Mr. Rokavek is the PFBC’s Chief Engineer with 22 years of civil and environmental engineering experience in the planning, financing, design, permitting, construction, operations and maintenance of infrastructure projects.

His Dam Safety experience includes developing the Commission’s Remote Monitoring and Alert System, performing routine dam inspection, preparing Emergency Action Plans and Operation and Maintenance Manuals.  He is also responsible for overseeing the rehabilitation design of nearly a dozen dams within the Ohio watershed, including Dutch Fork Lake Dam and Canonsburg Dam.

Outstanding Individual Environmental Award- Doniele Russell.

Mrs. Russell is most proud of her work with all of the municipalities, non-profit groups, school districts, and agency representative to create a Butler County Environmental Advisory Council which implements a countywide mini-grant program.

The Mini grant program allowed for multiple environmental projects to be implemented protecting farms, water quality, water quantity, and wildlife habitat in all areas of the county. The program was a match program and really allowed the county to take the lead in environmental preservation, enhancement, and construction projects.

Mrs. Russell became the first shared greenways and environmental planner in Pennsylvania. The position is a joint position created with an intergovernmental agreement between Beaver County and Lawrence County Commissioners. The position is an 8 year contract, the Counties and two state agencies partnering in the agreement.

In Beaver County, the primary focus has been on the water quality, completing the first phase of a countywide Act 167 plan, as well as countywide floodplain education and outreach. Mrs. Russell, a certified floodplain manager, has partnered with the Beaver County Conservation District, FEMA and DCED to meet with as many willing municipalities do Community Assistance Visits (CAV). Doniele is the epitome of “great attitude.” 

She inspires everyone around her with her dedication and caring to the environment and the community in and around Pittsburgh.

Energy Efficiency, Richard Price, Exec. Dir of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities.

As Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities,  Rick Price has fostered the growth of alternative fueling infrastructure and  vehicles .  He is most knowledgeable about the field, and has helped educate others through his outreach activities. 

Thanks to his tireless efforts  on behalf of the DOE Clean Cities program, and ability to collaborate, he has helped to encourage the use of alternative fuels in the southwest region.

Rick has established partnerships with government at every level, utility providers, alternative fuel users, automotive vehicle providers and upfitters, researchers, colleges, business and community groups.

Rick is always willing to help, and has likewise volunteered his time to work with other entities across the state to help them with their efforts.

Accepting the award on his behalf was Janet Lauer, President of the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, because Rick was at a DOE Clean Cities Coordinators meeting, also receiving an award there!

The organizations winning the poster/display contest received $500 for first place and $250 for second place.  The winners included--

Most Innovative: 1st Place-Independence Conservancy, 2nd Place-Evergreen Conservancy;

Best Overall Display: 1st Place-Paddle Without Pollution, 2nd Place-Roaring Run Watershed Assn.

Community Education & Outreach: 1st Place-Allegheny CleanWays, 2nd Place-Shade Creek Watershed Assn.

Best Partnership Effort: 1st Place- Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team, 2nd Place-Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center

Click Here for a great blog posting on this special event.

10/15/2012