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EPA HONORS CLEAN WATER PARTNERS FOR THE 21st CENTURY SIXTEEN HONORED IN THE SOUTHEAST

Release Date: 04/01/2003
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, EPA Media Relations, 404-562-842

Today, in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., EPA Administrator Christie Whitman and Assistant Administrator, G. Tracy Mehan, III, honored sixteen local agencies from the southeast in recognition of the critical role that local governments play in protecting our nation=s waters. Nationally, seventy-nine local agencies were honored. As part of the celebration of the "Year of Clean Water" proclaimed by President George W. Bush, EPA recognized extraordinary actions taken by local governments to protect watersheds over and above the requirements of the Clean Water Act. This includes such actions as restoring lakes, protecting wetlands, and reducing sewer overflows. The program is designed to focus on the leadership role that local governments are playing in their own organizations and their efforts to mobilize other partners in the watershed. "It is our belief that clean water begins at the local level," said Assistant Administrator Mehan. "We applaud the efforts of all Clean Water Partners to improve the environment in the communities they serve." EPA received almost 200 applications from across the country after the program was announced in a Federal Register Notice in April 2002. The applications were carefully reviewed by a panel comprised of EPA staff as well as representatives from various local government organizations such as the Water Environment Federation, Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies and the National League of Cities. Seventy-nine applicants were approved. Award winners from the southeast include the following: Alabama Franklin County soil & Water Conservation District, Russellville Florida Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, Gainesville Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Fort Pierce Highlands County, Sebring JEA, Jacksonville City of Largo, Engineering Services Division, Southwest Florida Water Management District Leon County, Tallahassee Orange County Utilities, Orlando Georgia Clayton County Water Authority City of Satellite Beach Cobb County Water System, Marietta Columbus Water Works, Columbus City of Griffin Kentucky Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington South Carolina Charleston Commissioners of Public Works, Charleston Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, Greenville