Environmental Law

Retirement of PADEP Deputy Secretary Tom Fidler

By M. Joel Bolstein

On April 27, I sat down for a friendly chat with PADEP Deputy Secretary Tom Fidler in his office on the 16th floor of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg.  At that time, Tom wasn't sure how much longer he'd last, having put in 35 years.  Well, it's official now.  Tom Fidler will be starting a well-deserved retirement from PADEP on June 19.  

I think the first time I met Tom Fidler was shortly after Tom Ridge was elected Governor and Jim Seif and I went to walk the halls at PADEP during the transition.  The word was already out that Jim was going to be the nominee for Secretary and I was going along with him.  At that time, Tom Filder was a special assistant working on the 16th floor.  He impressed me as being very professional and knowledgeable.  With that said, I had no idea at that time what a significant role he would play in putting together one of the signature environmental programs of the Ridge Administration -- the Land Recycling Program under Act 2.  

On my bookcase, I have a binder of policy development materials from 1995 to 1997 when the Act 2 regulations and Technical Guidance Manual were being developed.  At the time, we had an internal group referred to as the Act 2 Executive Board that made policy decisions on a whole host of issues relating to the implementation of Act 2.  Tom Fidler's name shows up on every one of those emails and policy memos.  On the agendas for what we called the Regulation Development Workgroup, the internal group charged with developing the Act 2 regulations, Tom's name appears as the facilitator.   The issues ranged from aquifer determinations to secondary contaminants to NAPL and PQLs.  Tom prepared the detailed briefing materials along with Dave Hess and their team.  Tom worked long hours.  He kept everyone focused on the tasks at hand.  Tom coordinated the meetings and receipt of scientific advice from the CSSAB.   He was everywhere and doing everything to put the Act 2 program together.

The Land Recycling program owes its success to hundreds of dedicated people at PADEP who  believe in its ability to reclaim brownfield sites and create economic opportunity across the Commonwealth.  I think I can fairly say that without Tom Fidler, the Act 2 program might not have achieved the success that it has and garnered so many awards.  He was integral to its success.  Like Jim Snyder, Karen Bassett, Dave Hess and Ken Bowman, Tom Fidler was there at the beginning and he was a true believer in the ultimate good that could be achieved by the program.  He worked hard to infuse the program with a foundation of sound science.  At the same time, he refused to cut corners which would subject the program to criticism as being weak on environmental protection.   After the Act 2 regulations were promulgated and the manual was released, Tom became one of the leading ambassadors of the PA Act 2 program.  He gave a lot of speeches and he helped write some for people like me.   He fought with the naysayers and he was a strong proponent of using common sense.

As you can tell, I am a big fan of Tom Fidler's.  I'll be sorry to see him go.  He is one of those unique civil servants that people of both parties can praise for his leadership.  When I worked with him he was the Chief of the Land Recycling and Cleanup Program.  Secretary McGinty later appointed Tom as Deputy Secretary for Air, Recycling and Radiation Protection.    At the time, I said Secretary McGinty had a good eye for talent.   Many of us put our faith in Tom over the years and we were rewarded by his hard work and dedication.  He made all of us look good.  

It wasn't that long ago that I remember when Tom was recovering from an accident that left him flat on his back and worried that he might never walk again.  Many of us prayed for Tom at that time and he pulled through and continued on his path of excellence at the Department.  In the retirement announcement that I received, it said Tom had no immediate plans other than to spend some time out on his farm.  I've been to that farm.  It's a beautiful farm where the pond is so well stocked with fish that you get a bite within seconds of casting your line on the water.   Not a bad place to retire.

I have a picture on my wall signed by Governor Ridge that says "To Joel and the Act 2 Team, with admiration and thanks for making Pennsylvania a leader among states".  Tom Fidler is in that picture and he was an integral part of that team.   Everyone working in the area of brownfield redevelopment in Pennsylvania owes Tom Fidler our gratitude for a job well done.   I know that he's worked on many other programs and projects since he became Deputy Secretary, but as far as I am concerned, he'll always be remembered for his leading role in the Act 2 program.  Well done Tom and best wishes in your retirement.  

Full post as published by PA Brownfields Environmental Law on June 02, 2009 (boomark / email).