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EPA Presents Environmental Merit Awards to Four in Rhode Island

Release Date: 05/01/2002
Contact Information: Andrew Spejewski 617-918-1014

BOSTON – Four individuals and organizations from Rhode Island were honored today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their contributions to the environment.

The Rhode Island winners were among 35 recipients from around New England that received Environmental Merit Awards at a ceremony at Faneuil Hall. The awards, given out since 1970, honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to preserve the region's environment. This year's competition drew more than 90 nominations.

"These individuals, businesses, non-profits and government agencies, often with little fanfare, have invested huge amounts of their time to make the environment of New England's cleaner and safer for future generations. And for that I think we should all be grateful," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "The recipients we are honoring today are New England's environmental heroes."

The winners from Rhode Island were:

Organized Parents Against Lead – Providence

Formed at the grassroots level and staffed and coordinated by the Childhood Lead Action Project, Organized Parents Against Lead is making a difference for children and families throughout Rhode Island by advocating on behalf of children, providing outreach in communities at the greatest risk for lead poisoning and empowering parents to work for change. Staffed and coordinated by the non-profit Childhood Lead Action Project, the group has campaigned to keep the issue of lead poisoning in the forefront of community consciousness. Organized Parents Against Lead has become a powerful voice for parents and children. In addition to safeguarding children and families, it is helping to revitalize neighborhoods by promoting lead prevention, advocating for improved housing and pushing for elimination of lead hazards. The group's determination has taken the anguish of lead poisoning and turned it into a positive force to help other escape the preventable fate of lead poisoning.

The Habitat Restoration Team of Save The Bay in Providence, RI

Eelgrass is a primary source of food for many plants and animals in Narragansett Bay and a critical nursery and shelter for shellfish and fin fish. It also improves water quality by filtering pollutants and reducing impacts from shoreline erosion. However, disease and pollution from septic systems, fertilizer runoff and wastewater treatment facilities have taken their toll on this important underwater marine plant. Once widespread throughout the bay, eelgrass can now be found in less than 100 acres of Narragansett Bay. In addition to ongoing efforts to improve the bay, Save The Bay has been transplanting eelgrass for three years. Save The Bay has conducted 25 eelgrass transplants throughout the bay, using various transplant techniques from greenhouse grown seedlings to planting seedlings in coir fiber mats. Save The Bay is now in the final stages of developing an Eelgrass Restoration Plan for Narragansett Bay using a GIS site selection model approach developed by the University of New Hampshire. Because seagrass beds occur worldwide and provide similar ecological benefits, Save The Bay's work will have global applications.

Dr. Steven Hamburg – Providence

An educator, scholar and advocate, Dr. Steven Hamburg has recognized the potential of linking research institutions and science centers to educate the public about environmental issues. He has worked with the New England Science Center Collaborative since its founding in 1999 to examine the issue of global warming. NESCC has provided opportunities for research institutions to communicate their findings with the public and Dr. Hamburg has helped provide the science centers in the collaborative with technical expertise to educate visitors about climate change in their communities. NESCC has grown from a single set of exhibits in one state to seven programs in five states, and from the original 14 members in the collaborative, there are now 24 members who educate more that 2 million visitors a year.

Eugenia Marks – Smithfield

For more than 20 years, Eugenia Marks has dedicated herself to preservation and restoration of Rhode Island's natural resources and environment through the Audubon Society. Her commitment is to involving and educating the public because of her belief that awareness and dialogue among the public, government and private organizations will result in better environmental decisions. Ms. Marks has played a key role in the Partners for Resource Protection and its parent organization, the Rhode Island Watershed Approach Coordinating Council, two groups which are addressing the problem of polluted stormwater in both urban and rural areas. Ms. Marks is particularly dedicated to preservation of South County's watersheds and played a key role in the Water User Stakeholder Group. Her perseverance, energy and leadership in service to the environment are qualities to be envied. She is Rhode Island's environmental conscience.

Also recognized for their work in Rhode Island were:

The New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association

Spurred by EPA penalties against several town Department of Public Works (DPWs), the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association took action in 2001. The group approached EPA New England to develop a self-audit program for DPWs in New England. DPW garages that performed self-audits, reported environmental violations, and corrected the violations would be given a low priority for inspections. Together with EPA, the Association has developed tip sheets and fact sheets for DPW directors, and held a series of workshops. More than 250 people attended the NEAPWA spring meeting last April to learn about the initiative. To date, more than 300 New England DPW garages have signed up for this voluntary program. NEAPWA is working with EPA New England to measure the environmental benefits of the program.

Trust for Public Land

Founded in 1972, the Boston-based Trust for Public Land has protected more than 1.4 million acres of land across the country, including 100,000 acres in New England. The trust is a non-profit group dedicated to preserving land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. For the trust, 2001 was an extraordinary year in New England with the protection of 26,000 acres and a new 171,000-acre project in northern New Hampshire. Recently, the Trust for Public Land celebrated its 200th project in the region. As a result of their dedication, thousands of acres of precious wildlife habitat across New England has been conserved. These beautiful lands will be enjoyed by many throughout the region.