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16 From Massachusetts Receive EPA Awards

Release Date: 04/21/1996
Contact Information: Frank McIntyre, Office of External Programs; (617) 918-1095

BOSTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will recognize 35 New England environmental champions, including 16 from Massachusetts, with Environmental Merit Awards during an Earth Day celebration Monday at Faneuil Hall in Boston.

"New Englanders have a long tradition of being acutely aware of their environment and taking action to protect it. We are pleased to honor just a few of those that truly deserve recognition for their actions." said EPA Regional Administrator John DeVillars. " The winners, in fact all of the nominees, set an example for all of us to follow."

The Merit Awards, presented annually since 1970, recognize demonstrated commitment and significant contributions to the environment. The winners were selected from nearly 100 nominees received this year from businesses, media, local and state government officials, environmental organizations, and citizen activists.

The Massachusetts winners and basis for recognition are:

DAN MOON, ENVIRONMENTAL EXPO, Belmont, MA: For 8 years, through his New England Environmental Expo, Dan has provided environmental professionals in the region an opportunity to share expertise and future visions with their colleagues.

GEORGE DAREY, Lenox, MA: Last year George founded the Sportsmen for Land Preservation, a citizen's group that raised nearly $100,000 for the Berkshire Natural Resources Council's land preservation group and helped preserve 101 acres with more land purchases under negotiations. It is but the latest success for a man who, as a local official and state leader, has for decades benn at the forefront of land and wildlife conservation efforts in the Commonwealth. As Chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, he continues to provide creative and effective leadership.

JONATHAN HARR, Northampton, MA: In the best seller A Civil Action, Jonathan gives a human face to the suffering that can occur as the result of an environmental tragedy, as well as detailing the personal, emotional costs associated with the struggle to achieve justice for the victims of environmental abuse.

JOANNE HENRY, Cambridge, MA: As community attorney/project director with Alternatives for Community and Environment, Joanne works on many issues to empower urban residents for making their environment healthier.

ELIZABETH HOUGHTON, Needham, MA: A long standing board member of the Neponset River Watershed Association and a true friend to countless environmental projects, Elizabeth is a tireless advocate working for the preservation of the marshes, aquifers, open spaces, and historic landmarks of the Fowl Meadow and Neponset River.

WAYNE MCCALLUM, Grafton, MA: As director of the state's Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Wayne is a nationally recognized conservation leader. He chairs the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture that in the past 5 years has permanently protected or restored more than 80,000 acres of wetlands in the eastern U.S. And here in Massachusetts at a time when new taxes are anathema to political leaders, he has been able to win legislative support for new, dedicated revenues for open space protection.

SUSAN NICKERSON, Cummaquid, MA: The executive director of the Association for the Preservation of Cape Cod, Susan has been one of the Cape's most enthusiastic and effective leaders on land use and water quality. With good cheer and boundless entusiasm, she has championed smart, sustainable growth for one of New England's most special places.

FRED SALVUCCI, Brighton, MA: Fred is recognized for his masterful skill as a tactician and broker on behalf of the environment in transportation issues. His counsel and behind-the-scenes networking was an invaluable resource for EPA on the Nashua Circumferential Highway project.

JAN SCHLICHTMANN, Andover, MA: Jan's persistent battle against industrial giants over their responsibility for the groundwater pollution that victimized the children and families of Woburn, MA., is a testament to his courage, energy, and passion and an inspiration to those who aspire to represent the rights of the victims of environmental abuse.

JOHN SULLIVAN, Dorchester, MA: The chief engineer for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, John brings a nuts and bolts approach to improving water, sewer, and storm drain systems that can threaten water quality. He has shown the way for all the communities of Greater Boston to adopt the best management practices that are already leading to marked water quality improvement. As a third generation employee of BSWC, his leadership is one of the critical pieces in achieveing the goal we have set for a fishable and swimmable Charles River by Earth Day 2000.

JOHN TODD, Falmouth, MA: As founder of Ocean Arks International, John champions ecological knowledge and design technologies applicable to a wide range of pressing environmental and social problems. Through his vision - a realistic vision- of more ecologically friendly cities and more efficiently designed products, we see the path to a more sustainable economy.

MARY TOOMEY, Hingham, MA: Mary is a tireless protector of the Weymouth-Hingham Back River Estuary, keeping the more than 1,000 acres of marsh and wetlands safe from damage and keeping her friends and neighbors more vigilant on behalf of her beloved Back River.

NORTHEAST RECYCLING ASSOCIATES CORP., Fitchburg, MA: Northeast used an existing mill, the latest technology, and the best equipment to establish a state-of-the-art paper recycling and deinking facility.

BOSTON ENVIRONMENTAL STRIKEFORCE TEAM, Boston, MA: BEST is composed of inspectors from the city's Environmental, Police, Fire, Health and Hospitals, Code Enforcement, Law, Neighborhood Services, and Inspectional Services Departments, Mass. Water Resources Authority and the Water and Sewer Commission. Team efforts have resulted in closing illegal auto body and repair shops, abatement of health and safety nuisances and zoning code violations, and implementation of interim operational agreements at city trouble spots.

UNDERGROUND RAILWAY THEATER, Arlington, MA: URT performs an eco-cabaret that uses an art form to look at environmental issues and concerns of the under-represented. Their work leads to a deeper and more widespread debate about those issues.