The Fish and Boat Commission Thursday announced it will present the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award to former Senator Franklin Kury to recognize his lasting conservation impact as the author and champion of Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, also known as the Environmental Rights Amendment.

The Amendment says, “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

“Arguably, this addition to the Pennsylvania Constitution stands as one of the most important pieces of environmental legislation ever passed in the state,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “The incredible legacy of Article 1, Section 27, places Mr. Kury in a group of the most notable leaders in Pennsylvania’s rich conservation history.”

The award will be presented at 7 p.m. on July 14 as part of an evening event following the first day of the PFBC’s quarterly business meeting.

The evening will feature a discussion on the significance of Article I, Section 27, and will be moderated by Pete Duncan, former Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources and former Executive Director of the Game Commission.

The session will also include a taped interview with Professor John Dernbach, Distinguished Professor of Law at Widener University and co-director of Widener’s Environmental Law Center.

The Abele Award is the highest recognition the PFBC provides to persons who distinguish themselves in the cause of conservation. The PFBC established the award to recognize citizens of Pennsylvania who have made outstanding contributions to the protection, conservation, and enhancement of the aquatic resources of the Commonwealth.

The event is open to the public and will take place at the PFBC’s office at 1601 Elmerton Avenue in Susquehanna Township. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free parking is available.

6/30/2014