Long-Time Allegheny County Airport Authority Planning Manager Receives Karl Mason Award from PA Environmental Association

May 18, 2017

The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals has announced that Eric H. Buncher, Manager of Planning Services for the Allegheny County Airport Authority, is the winner of its prestigious Karl Mason Award.

Named for the man who served as Pennsylvania’s first State Environmental Administrator from 1952 to 1966, the Mason award is presented annually to a professional who has made a unique and creative contribution to the field of environmental management in Pennsylvania.

Buncher has over 40 years of environmental studies, managerial and technical experience in economic development, site planning, and development feasibility studies with an emphasis on airport, office park, industrial park and mass transit applications.

Since 2001, Buncher has served as Manager of Planning Services for the Allegheny County Airport Authority where he is responsible for site planning and environmental studies at both Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport.

“I am so grateful to receive this award and proud that my peers have added my name to such a distinguished list of recipients,” Buncher said, adding that he is most proud of his work on the environmental assessment for drilling for natural gas at Pittsburgh International Airport.

“I assembled and coordinated a team of environmental professionals from the energy company, its consultants and the regulatory agency that completed the detailed document and got it approved it in record time,” he said.

Additionally, Buncher was recognized for his many years of outstanding leadership and service to the PA Association of Environmental Professionals.

“He was never timid about asking members to volunteer and to take the lead in a task. He always generously gave his time and advice to fellow environmental professionals to help them find good jobs,” said Wayne Kober, Retired Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Environmental Quality.

Under Buncher’s leadership, several important PAEP goals such as substantially increasing membership, conducting highly-valued section events and annual meetings, strongly supporting the Conservation Heritage Project, posting job opportunities, and awarding student scholarships were consistently met.

Buncher is a member of the Robert Morris University Economic Development Committee and the Moon Township Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee.  He is also a member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Airport Corridor Transportation Association as well as past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals.