Message from the Chair

May 2007

Welcome to the Environmental, Mineral and Natural Resources Law Section area of the PBA Web site! Whether you are currently a member or thinking of joining the Section, I�d like to share with you some of the ways the Section can meet your needs. Here are just a few of the programs and benefits our Section offers:

Environmental Law Forum

Described as a �must attend� event for environmental lawyers in Pennsylvania, the Environmental Law Forum is an annual two-day workshop that explores the latest developments and trends in the field of environmental law. The Forum offers exceptional speakers on a wide-range of topics and provides plenty of opportunity for networking with other environmental professionals throughout the Commonwealth, including the Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Environmental Hearing Board and private practitioners. The Forum also includes the Section�s reception and Annual Dinner where you can mingle with your colleagues and honor the recipient of the Section�s Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession presented each year.

Listserv

Sign up for the Section�s listserv and receive monthly summaries and links to Environmental Hearing Board decisions as well as other matters of interest to environmental practitioners. The listserv also offers an opportunity for you to contact other members of the Section for their input on various issues. It�s easy to sign up: simply go to the Members Only section of the Web site and click on the link to �Listserv.�

County Outreach

We are a state bar association and, therefore, one of our goals is to provide plenty of opportunities for attorneys statewide to take part in continuing legal education on environmental topics. The Section partners with county bar associations to provide such programs. Upcoming events include lunch and learn programs in Lancaster and Meadville in September. If you are interested in being a presenter at any of these programs, please contact Andy Hartzell ([email protected]), the Section�s County Outreach Coordinator.

Pro Bono Program

A number of years ago, the Section determined there was a need for pro bono representation for financially disadvantaged individuals filing appeals with the Environmental Hearing Board. In order to meet this need, the Section has developed a comprehensive program whereby qualifying individuals are matched with an attorney who handles their case on a pro bono basis. The program is being expanded to include litigants in other courts beyond the Environmental Hearing Board, and we are currently working with professional technical associations to provide expert services at a reduced cost. In order to meet the needs of the individuals who qualify for pro bono representation, however, we rely on the commitment and dedication of attorneys who are willing to donate a portion of their time to provide this very worthwhile and important service. If you are interested in volunteering for the Section�s pro bono program, please contact Alexandra Chiaruttini ([email protected]), the Section�s Pro Bono Coordinator.

Standing Committees

If you have an interest in a particular aspect of environmental law, you may want to consider joining one of the Section�s five standing committees. They are:

�        Minerals and Mining � chaired by Gene Dice ([email protected])

�        Pollution Prevention and Permitting � chaired by Rick Friedman ([email protected])

�        Environmental Litigation � chaired by Mark Freed ([email protected])

�        Land Use, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Development � chaired by Jack Embick ([email protected])

�        Contamination and Land Recycling

The committees are responsible for keeping members up to date on the latest developments in each of their program areas, offering speakers and program ideas for the Environmental Law Forum and other seminars, and submitting articles to the Section�s newsletter.

Opportunities for Law Students

Since today�s law students represent the future of the environmental profession, we place a great value on their resources and encourage their participation in Section activities. The Section currently offers a number of opportunities for students:

�        Summer Internship Stipend � To support the environmental, mineral and natural resources education of law students, to encourage public interest and charitable legal activities, and to provide financial support and mentoring to law students interested in environmental, mineral and natural resources law, each year the Section awards a $7,500 summer stipend to allow a qualifying law student to work on legal matters for a not-for-profit, charitable or public interest organization, school or government agency in the fields of environmental, mineral or natural resources law. Following completion of the internship, the student will prepare a report and evaluation of his or her internship experience and will be awarded a scholarship to attend the Environmental Law Forum and, at the discretion of the Section Chair, provide a brief presentation of his or her internship experience to the Section at the Annual Meeting and Dinner. Applications are due by Jan. 31 each year and may be obtained by contacting Rick Friedman, the Section�s Internship Coordinator ([email protected]).

�        Environmental Law Forum Scholarships � Each year the Section awards scholarships to two law students from each of Pennsylvania�s law schools to attend the Environmental Law Forum. The scholarships cover the cost of tuition, room and board and attendance at the Section�s Annual Dinner. Attendance at the Forum offers students the opportunity to meet with environmental practitioners and students throughout the Commonwealth. Further information may be obtained by contacting Paul King, the Section�s Environmental Law Forum Scholarship Coordinator ([email protected]).

�        Pro Bono Program � The Section offers law students the opportunity to provide research assistance to attorneys handling pro bono cases for the Environmental Hearing Board and other courts. The program is administered in conjunction with the students� law school. If you are a law student or environmental professor or clinic director at a Pennsylvania law school and are interested in working with the Section�s pro bono program, please contact Alexandra Chiaruttini, the Section�s Pro Bono Coordinator ([email protected]).

Social Activities

Recognizing that the opportunity to meet and network with others in the environmental field is a valuable part of one�s practice, the Section offers a number of social activities. In addition to the Environmental Law Forum reception and Annual Dinner, these have included a meet and greet with the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and various political candidates. A reception with the Professional Geologists Association is being planned for later this year.

New Projects

Looking for ways to further serve our members and staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the environmental field is a vital part of the Section�s mission. To that end, we are exploring the following new projects this year:

�        Formation of a Legislative Committee to monitor pending legislation of interest to Section members.

�        Sustainable development education and awareness for the Section and the public.

�        Expansion of the Pro Bono Program to cover expert services.

�        Newsletter providing announcements and articles of interest to the Section.

Additionally, if there are any new projects you would like to see the Section become involved in or have ideas you�d like to share, I welcome your input. After all, you are the most valuable resource the Section has. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

MaryAnne Wesdock, Chair

Environmental, Mineral and Natural Resources Law Section