Robert & Kit Concilus Receive Lifetime Achievement Award - April 19, 2013   Personality and Perseverence Revived the Conservancy     Dr. Robert Concilus and his wife Kit recently were awarded the Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award by the French Creek Valley Conservancy.  They received the award to recognize their decades-long dedication and work building and developing conservation programs with the FCVC, and for their commitment to promoting and protecting our region's priceless natural treasures. “By their personalities and perseverance they revived the conservancy and made it the entire French Creek Valley,” said early board member Jonathan Helmrich in support of the award to the Conciluses. Through many years of hard work and devotion to our region and it's rich environmental heritage, they have built a legacy of conservation and stewardship that will go on and be remembered by future generations to come.  According to current FCVC President Jim Lang "The couple created the foundation that enabled the conservancy to grow and be successful in fulfilling its mission: 'To promote the environmental integrity of the French Creek watershed, and to advocate the protection of its natural resources for the aesthetic, ecological, recreational, and economic benefit of all, through the coordination of land protection, education, and research.'" Troy and Lynn Firth also received the 'Friends of the Creek Award' for their work as founders of the Foundation for Sustainable Forests, which works closely in conservation efforts with the Conservancy.     Efforts Continue with Tire Incinerator Fight     Dr. Concilus' 15 years as President of the French Creek Valley Conservancy allowed him countless opportunities to work to protect this incredibly diverse corner of Northwestern Pennsylvania.  It is because of his dedication to the preservation of our areas' natural resources that he stood up as a plaintiff in the fight against the construction of the world's largest tire incinerator in Crawford County.  Because of his years of experience and knowledge of this area, he immediately recognized the very real threat that this big polluter posed to our community, environment, and our way of life... and he took action.  Dr. Concilus' efforts to appeal the air quality permit issued for the tire incinerator reflects his ongoing dedication to this community and the environment.  Along with area resident Leah Humes, the two bravely joined the legal challenge of the siting of this massive tire burning facility in our area. Their appeal has added momentum to the strong community effort to oppose this facility which would produce enormous amounts of toxic pollution each year. Pollution that could threaten our health, environment, and the health and safety of our irreplaceable natural resources in the region. To read more about the Conciluses' award, read the press release from the French Creek Valley Conservancy here: French Creek Valley Conservancy - Bailey Lifetime Achievement Award Canoe and Kayak Race - July 14th, 2013 Announcing the First Annual S.O.S. Canoe & Kayak Race on Conneaut Lake Sunday, July 14th  2013 Fun 5 Mile Race on an Exciting Course Food and Drinks Available from The Beach Club Awards Ceremony for Winners in Each Class Free T-Shirt for First 100 Racers  Help us "Save Our Swamp" from the world's largest tire incinerator!     Join CARE and Erie Peace & Justice Center for a fun and exciting kayak and canoe race on Conneaut Lake!  Come out and spend a day on the water and support a great cause.  This family-friendly race is open to all boaters, whether you like to paddle for fun or are a serious competitor, all are welcome. Race times will be available for all participants, and winners will be announced at the awards ceremony after the race. Proceeds support the ongoing appeal of the air quality permit issued for the proposed tire incinerator. Date: Time: Cost: Registration: Classes: Map and Directions: Sunday, July 14th 2013 Check-in/Registration at 8am Race starts at 9am $25 per boat. To register online Click Here (coming soon) For mail in registration, download the Registration Form (coming soon) Info coming soon... Coming soon... Appeal News - December 2, 2012     The Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board has granted another extension on the appeal that was filed against the permit for the proposed tire incinerator last November.  Crawford Renewable Energy requested the extension after they claimed that they needed more time to hire an air pollution control expert to address the expert reports filed by the plaintiffs, Dr. Robert Concilus and Leah Humes. Concilus and Humes had objected to this extension because they were required to provide their expert reports within a set time frame, which they did. Their objection stated that the extension would have unfairly allowed CRE extra time to create their reports. Despite the objection, the EHB granted a modified schedule which puts the deadline for CRE's report on December 21st. The final motions on the case are now due on February 1st. Meadville Tribune - Judge extends deadline for tire plant evidence Erie Times-News - Judge extends deadline for tire plant evidence, motions  How to Support the Appeal Fund     The strong community support for this appeal has made it what it is today, and your continued support will ensure that Dr. Concilus and Leah Humes can build the strongest possible case.  CARE continues to raise funds to support the appeal, and a contribution to the appeal fund will help ensure that all avenues of analysis are exhausted in challenging the permit. To donate to the appeal fund online click 'Donate' below. Donations are not tax deductible.  You can also mail your donation to the appeal fund at the address below. Donate using Paypal Mail your donation to CARE             CARE PO Box 43 Cochranton, PA 16314 Donations are not tax deductible. Allegheny College Tire Octopus Sculpture  Protests Tire Incinerator     Students for Environmental Action (SEA) at Allegheny College have created a giant "Tire Octopus" sculpture on campus. The sculpture is designed as a protest against the proposed tire incinerator planned for Greenwood Township.  The octopus is surrounded by signs that discuss the dangers of the incinerator, Geneva Marsh, and the ongoing appeal.  Photo Contest Winners Congratulations to our our photo contest winners! The decision is in! Our judges George Nowack of Arts for Everyone and T. Alan Kirk of Meadville Fine Arts have evaluated all the entries and chosen the top three submissions. They also awarded two Honorable Mentions.  All of the winning entries will be hosted at the Arts for Everyone exhibit space at the Meadville Market House beginning on December 7th. Winner will receive gift certificates from Meadville Fine Arts and a special prize from CARE. Thanks to all the participants who have taken such great pictures to highlight the beauty of Geneva Marsh, and to everyone who supports our cause! First Place: Patti Fowler Second Place: Preston Sanderson Third Place: Michael Vargo Honorable Mention: Dan Heninger Honorable Mention: Patti Fowler Kayak & Canoe Paddle-In Save Our Swamp! Kayak & Canoe Paddle-In and Photo Contest        Our Save Our Swamp event was a huge success!  The fall colors and beautiful scenery of the marsh provided a wonderful backdrop for a fun afternoon on the water. We had a great turnout as well, with 70 people in over 30 boats joining in!   The support we have gotten from the community for our cause have been incredible!  Thanks to everyone who participated, and thanks to all who helped out. Thanks to the Students for Environmental Action from Allegheny College for co-sponsoring the event. SEA did a great job! We will be posting more pics soon! For everyone who wants to submit photos for the photo contest, read below for submission information. How to submit your entries for the photo contest Submitting is easy, just email your top 3 choices from photos you took at our event to: care@stopburningtires.com OR If you prefer you can send a CD with your entries to: CARE P.O. Box 43 Cochranton, PA 16314 Please submit all entries by Monday, October 29th. Entries must meet the following rules: - All entries must be taken on the day of the event. - Submissions are limited to 3 entries per person.   - We would prefer that submissions be 8"x10" at 200 ppi in .jpeg format.      Arts for Everyone, the program that hosts and promotes local art shows and events, has signed on to sponsor the photo contest at our "Save Our Swamp" event!  A4E Director George Nowack and T. Alan Kirk of Meadville Fine Arts will judge the entries.  The winner's picture, along with a collection of entries from the finalists, will be printed and displayed at the Arts for Everyone exhibit space at the Meadville Market House, and then the exhibit will travel to the other A4E exhibit spaces around Crawford County. The winners will be asked to sign a waiver that allows CARE and Arts for Everyone permission to use your photos in our online and exhibit displays.

Funding the Appeal of the Air Quality Permit

    As you probably already know, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an Air Quality Permit (posted in the Resources section) to Crawford Renewable Energy (CRE) for its proposed 100-megawatt tires-to-energy plant in Crawford County. CARE believes there's a basis to win an appeal to the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board, and we are asking for your help in funding the appeal.

    On November 24th, 2011, Dr. Robert Concilus and Leah Humes filed an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board. The appeal outlines fifteen legal objections to the Air Quality Permit issued by the Pensylvania DEP to Crawford Renewable Energy for the proposed tire burning plant. This appeal remains the last hope for addressing the permit for the proposed facility.  It will make the plant cleaner and safer if it is built, and it will provide answers to the many questions that still remain about the facility and the emissions it would produce.   Dr.Concilus and Leah Humes are following the legal avenues open to them to fight for the environment and safety of Northwestern Pennsylvania (and beyond). 

Your donation will help us reach our goals and support the legal fees, expert witness costs, and other expenses. With your help, we can win this appeal!

There are two ways to donate through CARE:

Donate using Paypal Mail your donation to CARE             CARE PO Box 43 Cochranton, PA 16314 Donations are not tax deductible.

Crawford Area Residents for the Environment