Henry Rauch, Geology Professor, West Virginia Surface Mine Board, Case Files
Collection
Collection Number: A&M 4141
Records documenting the activity of Henry Rauch as a member of the Reclamation Board of Review (1978-1984; 1990-1993) and of the Surface Mine Board (1994-2015) in the state of West Virginia. These boards represent a judicial function whereby citizens or mining companies may appeal decisions related to mining permits made by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
The majority of the files regard coal mining, including 1. cases where a company doesn't get a permit and appeals, and 2. cases where a company gets a permit, and there is a citizens' complaint or appeal. These files document mountain top removal mining from the beginning (except during the time he was not on the board).
Henry Rauch was a professor of geology at West Virginia University from 1970-2015. His area of expertise was hydrology. (See biographical/historical note for additional information regarding Rauch.)
ADD of 2016 January 19 includes case files (including maps, mining applications, court filings, supplemental case information, etc.) and notes by Rauch related to case no. 2003-40-SMB: West Virginia Highland Conservancy v. West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Coal-Mac, Inc. Dates: 2003-2004. Location: Box 46 and Box 47 (first folder only).
ADD of 2016 March 15 includes assorted publications regarding water, coal, energy, and environmental law. Also includes symposium proceedings and publications from relevant professional/scientific organizations, including Monsanto Research Corporation, US Department of Energy, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Allegheny Power System, Appalachian Basin Industrial Associates, Association of Engineering Geologists, West Virginia Surface Mine Drainage Task Force (symposium packets from several years included); National Research Center for Coal & Energy, WV Research Corporation, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Dates: 1978-2000. Location: Box 47 (beginning at second folder).
ADD of 2016 November 15 includes case files (including maps, mining applications, correspondence, court filings, supplemental case information, etc.) and notes by Rauch related to multiple cases of the Hominy Creek Preservation Association v. West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (case nos. 2003-46-SMB, 2001-43-SMB, 2001-21-SMB, 2005-12-SMB, 2004-15-SMB). Dates: 2001-2005. Location: Box 48 and Box 49.
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Henry Rauch earned his Ph.D. degree in geochemistry-hydrogeology from Pennsylvania State University and has worked as a professor of geology at West Virginia University (WVU) during 1970 - 2015. He served as assistant professor during 1970 - 1976, as associate professor with tenure during 1976 - 1984, and as full professor with tenure during 1984 - 2015. He retired in May 2015 after a 45 year career and has been a professor emeritus since then. His area of expertise is hydrogeology.
Rauch had taught 10 different geology courses and portions of two other geology courses, at the freshman to graduate levels, in wide ranging geology subjects, and had advised research for ~70 geology graduate students and 6 undergraduate geology students at WVU.
Rauch had undertaken many research and consulting projects while at WVU, including 88 unshared portions of directly funded projects for ~$4,250,000, plus many other unfunded projects. He published, as senior author or coauthor, 58 research papers, and authored or coauthored 125 professional presentations before professional science groups with published abstracts.
Rauch has provided service functions to WVU, the State of West Virginia, and to the geological profession. These functions include service on numerous committees and boards, organization of WVU science conferences, and teaching off-campus courses. His primary service functions have been as a member, appointed by several governors of West Virginia, to three state regulatory appeals boards: the Reclamation Board of Review (1978-1984; 1990-1993), the Surface Mine Board (1994-2015) (which replaced the Reclamation Board of Review), and the Quarry Board (2000-2015). These boards represent a judicial function whereby citizens or mining companies may appeal decisions related to mining permits made by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
Rauch has received several professional awards, including faculty promotions in rank ultimately to full professor and professor emeritus, professional society awards, three best geology teacher awards, two best professional paper awards, and one award for distinguished long service as the WVU student caving club's faculty advisor.
(Historical note provided by Professor Henry Rauch.)
61.25 Linear Feet (61 ft. 3 in. (49 record cartons, 15 in. each))
English
Records documenting the activity of Henry Rauch as a member of the Reclamation Board of Review (1978-1984; 1990-1993) and of the Surface Mine Board (1994-2015) in the state of West Virginia. These boards represent a judicial function whereby citizens or mining companies may appeal decisions related to mining permits made by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Gifts from Rauch, Henry, 2015/09/16, and circa 2016/01/19, 2016/03/15, 2016/11/15
Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository