Environmental Law

New EPA Region 3 Administrator Named

By M. Joel Bolstein

I have to admit that I didn't see the EPA's press release when it came out last month.  EPA Administrator Jackson has named Shawn M. Garvin to replace Don Welsh as Regional Administrator for EPA Region 3, which covers Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.   Mr. Garvin has worked for EPA Region 3 for over 10 years and currently serves as EPA Region 3's Senior State and Congressional Liaison.  In that position he is the primary contact to Congressional delegations and state and local officials throughout the region. He joined EPA in 1997, serving as Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator. Prior to that, Mr. Garvin worked for then-Senator Joe Biden and County Executive Dennis Greenhouse.  

The Regional Administrator is the highest ranking individual within the regional office and serves at the pleasure of the EPA Administrator in Washington.  I've know several EPA regional administrators over the years, Jim Seif (who went on to become PADEP Secretary), Ted Ericson (who went on to become a PA State Senator), and Don Welsh (a former PADEP Deputy Secretary who became executive director of PEC earlier this year), and know that it is a very important position that is both challenging and rewarding.  I wish Mr. Garvin the best of luck as he takes the reigns of the regional office.  

Full post as published by PA Brownfields Environmental Law on December 10, 2009 (boomark / email).