MU engineering professor fills out environmental board

Wednesday October

Ken Ward Jr.
STAFF WRITER CHARLESTON GAZETTE

A Marshall University engineering professor has been named to fill the final vacancy on the state Environmental Quality Board.

Scott Simonton was appointed by Gov. Bob Wise to a term that runs through June 30, 2007.

Simonton joined the environmental science program at Marshall’s College for Information Technology and Engineering in November 2001.

Simonton did industry work previously for Fluor Daniel, Earth Tech, and Terradon Corp. He also worked for the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

Simonton holds a doctorate in civil/environmental engineering from the University of New Mexico, a master’s in environmental engineering from Marshall and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from West Virginia Tech.

Environmentalists and industry lobbyists have been closely watching Wise’s appointments to the board.

Under state law, the environmental board writes rules that govern the amount of pollution allowed in West Virginia’s rivers and streams. The board also hears appeals of water and solid waste permit decisions made by the DEP.

In June, Wise reappointed board Chairman Ed Snyder and appointed Charleston businessman and

conservationist Ted Armbrecht to another open slot.

Before taking office, Wise had declined to ask the state Senate not to confirm Cameron Hackney, whom Gov. Cecil Underwood appointed to the board. Environmental groups opposed the appointment of Hackney.

Already, Armbrecht has angered industry lobbyists by pushing to put more conservation-oriented scientists on a committee looking into nutrient pollution in state streams.

Hackney, dean of the West Virginia University agriculture school, has close ties to the West Virginia Farm Bureau. Snyder is generally considered a friend to environmental groups. The other board member, retired WVU Professor Bob Jenkins, is often a swing vote.

Simonton said that he heard about openings on the board because another Marshall professor, Betsy Dulin, created one of the openings when she resigned.

Simonton said that he had heard that at least one industry group supported his appointment. He refused to name the group.

“I don’t know what was happening behind the scenes,” Simonton said.

“Just in day-to-day things, I talk more with industry,” he said. “But I’m pretty middle-of-the-road. I don’t have real leanings either way.”

Simonton said his experience working for industry consulting firms does not mean he’s a pro-industry appointment.

“I think that would be an unfair conclusion,” Simonton said. “The fact is, that’s where scientists work, and we really try to do a good job, regardless of who is paying the bills.

“I’ve done a lot of work for industry, but I’d like to think I was helping them do the right thing.”

Wise aide Chip Slaven said that Simonton sent in an application for the board position. The governor’s office reviewed applicants with DEP Secretary Michael Callaghan, whose agency often has its decisions appealed to the board.

“What we look at is, ‘Are they properly qualified?’” Slaven said. “It makes sense that [Callaghan] would be involved in that. He is central to the administration, and needs to be involved.”

Slaven said that Simonton is a “very sound and very qualified” appointee.

To contact staff writer Ken Ward Jr., use e-mail or call 348-1702