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New Hampshire Conservationist Awarded for Career Studying and Protecting Wetlands

Release Date: 05/30/2006
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – May 30, 2006) - Dr. Alan Amman of New Hampshire was one of only six people nationwide recently selected for a prestigious 2006 National Wetlands Award for his innovative approaches to salt marsh preservation and restoration.

Dr. Amman was honored with the award for his years of innovative work researching and protecting wetlands. His pioneering work in New Hampshire has been so successful that the wetland evaluation methodologies and guidance he developed are widely used by state agencies and local governments throughout New England. His work includes preparing a new method to evaluate salt marsh wetlands that can be used as a planning tool for communities to conserve key wetland areas.

Over the course of a long career, Dr. Amman identified 700 acres of New Hampshire’s remaining salt marsh as severely impacted, and dedicated himself to helping to restore tidal flow within these wetlands. A long-term employee of the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service, he also was instrumental in the restoration of 600 acres of imperiled salt marsh.

The National Wetlands Awards Program celebrates individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, innovation or excellence in wetlands conservation. Since 1989, the program has recognized exceptional work on the regional, state and local levels, to educate the people and communities about the value of wetlands and how to protect them.

The award program is co-sponsored by EPA, the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, NOAA Fisheries, and the Federal Highway Administration.

At the award ceremony in Washington, D.C. on May 10, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water programs, Benjamin H. Grumbles, commented: “These wetland champions are restoring and protecting one of America’s greatest natural assets through education, conservation, and dedication. These profiles in courage and stewardship show us all how to meet the President’s national goal of increasing, not simply maintaining, the quantity and quality of our wetlands.”

More information: EPA’s efforts to protect wetlands in New England (epa.gov/region1/topics/ecosystems/wetlands.html).

More information: 2006 National Wetlands Award winners (epa.gov/owow/wetlands/about/awards.html) .

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