Gerald L. Greiner Environmental Protection Award

The Gerald L. Greiner Environmental Protection Award is awarded annually to the Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) who best exemplifies the ideals of “Resource First” - the protection, conservation and enhancement of the Commonwealth’s water resources in the performance of their daily duties.

2023 Top Gerald L Greiner Environmental Protection Award Recipient, WCO Justin Boatwright, holding the award plaque. 2023 Award Recipient, WCO Justin Boatwright

Gerald L. Greiner Environmental Protection Award

This award is in memory of WCO Gerald Greiner who dedicated his life to protect, conserve and enhance the southwest region’s water resources; it’s streams, rivers and lakes. Jerry devoted the majority of his career working in the Three Rivers area investigating pollutions and stream disturbances, sampling industrial and municipal discharges and monitoring the activities of the sand and gravel dredgers. Jerry’s tough stance on enforcing the various pollution laws brought many violators into compliance. Jerry had developed close working relationships with the DEP, local conservation districts, sportsmen’s clubs and other environmental organizations throughout his career. Jerry was always involved in numerous environmental enhancement projects, litter pick-ups, Youth Field Days and AMD/Pollution abatement projects. Jerry’s dedication to environmental protection played a part in the recovery of the water quality and fishery of the Three Rivers. Jerry was a credit to the “Thin Green Line” of WCOs who protect, conserve and enhance our water resources.

Guidelines

  • Pollution and Stream Disturbance Activities - Knowledge of laws and regulations, expertise in investigations, negotiations and courtroom proceedings
  • Effectiveness in Law Enforcement Activities - Pollution, stream disturbance and littering.
  • Working relationship with - Watershed Associations, DEP, EPA, USFWS, Conservation Districts, Sportsmen’s Clubs, PA Cleanways, PFBC Environmental Services and other environmental organizations.
  • Involvement in - Environmental projects, litter pick-ups, AMD/pollution abatement projects, stream bank restoration/enhancement projects, fish habitat enhancement projects and dirt and gravel road projects.
  • Permit Reviews - Knowledge and effort in the review of permits, ie. mine applications, oil & gas well applications, stream encroachment applications and other environmental project applications.

​Award Recipients

2023 - Justin Boatwright
2022 - Erin R. Czech
2021 - Rachael Thurner-Diaz
2020 - Ron Evancho
2019 - Daniel Wilson
2018 - Travis Miller
2017 - Troy Merrell
2016 - Robert Bonney
2008 - Laurie Shepler, William Crisp, Robert Mader, Mark Hartle, and John Pavlock
2004 - Robert W. Croll
2003 - David R. Keller
2002 - R. Vance Dunbar
2001 - Martha A. Mackey