The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced the appointment of Joel Koricich as District Mining Manager for DEP’s California mining office in Washington County.

Koricich has been serving as acting mining manager for the past 16 months. He succeeds William Plassio, who now serves as bureau director for District Mining Operations for DEP.

“Joel is a registered professional engineer who brings a wealth of experience in all phases of surface and underground mining to the position,” said Plassio. “I am confident that he will continue to serve with diligence.”

As the mining manager in the California office, Koricich will oversee the review and processing of permits for underground mines, coal refuse and fly ash disposal facilities, coal preparation plants, mine treatment plants, stream encroachment issues and general air quality activities relating to mining.

Koricich served DEP, first, for 11 years as a senior civil engineer responsible for all aspects of surface mining and compliance. For the past 22 years, he has worked in a number of positions at the DEP California district mining office.

In addition to his DEP experience, Koricich was an environmental health engineer with the Allegheny County Health Department and a regional engineer manager with Chambers Development Corp.

Koricich is a graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering. He is currently chief of the Collinsburg Volunteer Fire Co. in Westmoreland County, strike team leader with the Pennsylvania Helicopter Aquatics Rescue Team, a state fire academy instructor and an instructor-trainer in swiftwater rescue for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Joel lives in Collinsburg with his wife Kelly and his two daughters.

4/14/2014