Haney was recognized for significantly broadening the scope of the geological survey in a number of areas, including environmental protection, resource availability and water supply since 1978, when he assumed the helm of the geological survey.

"Time after time, when he recognized needs, he organized support from government officials and private citizens to attack the problem. He wrote legislation, found legislative sponsors, and gave persuasive testimony about the needs for programs dealing with the environment, minerals, water and other important issues," according to the Lyons Award citation.

Haney's contributions include his work to encourage passage of groundwater monitoring legislation in Kentucky; construction of the Mining and Mineral Resources Building at UK; his assistance to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government in planning a water management strategy for the Kentucky River, leading to the creation of the Kentucky River Authority, which he chaired in 1994-95; and organizing political support for legislation estabishing the Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository in 1992.

The William E. "Bill" Lyons Award for Outstanding Service honors individuals associated with the University of Kentucky for service contributions to the university, the Lexington community or the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The award, administered by UK's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, is named in honor of the late professor Lyons, who had served as director of the Martin School and as chair of the political science department and University Senate Council, and as executive director of the Merger Commission that established Lexington's Urban County Government. He also served on the Urban County Council and as chair of various Urban County Government committees. Lyons died in 1994.