Environmental post won't be eliminated

Some environmentalists want a hand in the selection of the nextenvironmental advocate for the state Division of EnvironmentalProtection.

Wendy Radcliff announced her resignation June 12, citingdifferences with the governor's administration and careeropportunities elsewhere.

Radcliff leaves the post at an important time because theLegislature plans to review the office next year. But state leadersallayed fears that the post will be eliminated."This is a critical position," said Jim Kotcon, president of theWest Virginia Environmental Council, which has discussed how to be apart of the selection of a new environmental advocate."It's the one office in the agency that brings some balance to thepollution permit mania that otherwise occurs in the agency," hesaid.Discussions are just beginning and a list of candidates has notbeen determined, Kotcon said.Michael Miano, director of the DEP, said he has started lookingfor Radcliff's replacement. Miano, who arrived at the agency April,also is faced with filling the positions of public informationofficer and chief of the Office of Abandoned Mine Lands andReclamation.Miano said he is looking for someone who is outspoken and familiarwith environmental issues across the state. He said he wants theenvironmental advocate to keep him aware of public concerns.That was a role Radcliff fulfilled well, said Laura Forman, anorganizer with the West Virginia Organizing Project who frequentlyworked with Radcliff on environmental issues.Through public meetings and tours, Radcliff made average citizensa part of the DEP's process, Forman said. Before, people had nowhereto go, she said.But before Radcliff leaves her post at the division at the end ofnext week, the Legislature's Performance Evaluation and ResearchDivision will conduct a periodic performance review of the office.That office was scheduled to review the environmental advocate'soffice this year to present a report to a legislative committee. Thelaw that created the environmental advocate's position in 1994mandates periodic reviews of the office to see if it shouldcontinue.Miano agreed with other state leaders that the position isimportant and needs to be filled."There is no question in my mind that I will ask to have thisposition continued," he said.Speaker Bob Kiss said the position helps bring people into thelegislative process who otherwise believe they are closed out ofdiscussions.The governor also has no plans to eliminate the office, saidspokesman Rod Blackstone."At this point in time we fully expect that we will find somebodynew for that position," he said.Steve Myers can be reached at 348-4842.