Former Department of Environmental Resources Secretary Arthur A. Davis (91) passed away at his home on March 9 surrounded by his wife and other family members.

Davis served as DER Secretary from January 1987 to January 1995 under Gov. Robert P. Casey and was the fifth Secretary of the agency.  (Photo courtesy of DCNR-DEP from a poster in the lobby of the Rachel Carson Building this week honoring Davis.)

During his tenure, several major environmental programs were enacted into law: Act 101 Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling Waste Reduction Act establishing one of the first statewide curbside recycling programs, Act 108 Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program to parallel the federal Superfund Program, Act 54 protecting surface structures and water sources from the impacts of longwall mining, creating the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, regulating nutrient loading from farms under the Nutrient Management Act, the Environmental Education Act funding education program with DER penalty monies, Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act regulating aboveground and underground storage tanks, Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Act relating to safe disposal of low-level waste, the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Act funding preparedness at nuclear power plants, establishing the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Program to fund local recreation and State Park and Forest improvements, legislation creating the Rails-To-Trails Program and establishing the Wild Resource Conservation Fund vehicle license to fund research into threatened and endangered species.

Click Here for more details on accomplishments during his time as DER Secretary.

“Among his accomplishments while Secretary was to help DER navigate through bitter fights with legislators and private interests about landfills and recycling. He was strict enforcer of hazardous waste policy and protections for wetlands and waterways, and pressed for cleanup and accountability for the 1990 oil spill on the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, President and CEO of PennFuture.  “One of his proudest accomplishments was establishing Pennsylvania’s mandatory recycling program that is among the most progressive in the nation. He fought for funding for State Parks, remarking there was never enough.  Art worked to ensure surface mining cleanup and reclamation and enforce the posting of bonds by coal companies to ensure reclamation.  On the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990, he made his way to work by canoeing across the Susquehanna River.

“Art was known for his wit and his colorful sayings are in use today by many who know Art. My personal favorite is “We’ll jump off that bridge when we come to it” Another favorite was “This soap’s been around the bathtub before” when someone keeps bringing up the same issue,” added Dunn.

Among other honors, Davis received the National Wetlands Award from the Environmental Law Institute in 1990.

Prior to DER, Davis served as the Goddard Chair at Penn State University, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and U.S .Fish and Wildlife Service for protection of the White River in Arkansas. His work at Western Pennsylvania Conservancy focused on the conservation of Pennsylvania’s northern forests.

In-lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association, c/o Gil Freedman, President CCWA, 49 Sample Bridge Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.

Click Here for a copy of the full obituary.

3/17/2014