Letter from Federal Highway Administrator

Mary Peters

Congratulations to the winners of the 2003 Environmental Excellence Awards. Transportation Secretary, Norman Mineta and I are strongly committed to a national transportation system that is safe, efficient and environmentally sound, and that provides Americans with the mobility that they have come to expect. Our award winners for 2003 demonstrate that these commitments can be put into practice with great success.

These winners showcase what can be accomplished with the right blend of people, tools, expertise and hard work. The public expects us to seek solutions that benefit the environment and solve our transportation needs in a safe and efficient manner. All the winners consistently met the requirements of an environmentally friendly transportation solution, but they also went that extra step and developed partnerships to ensure the project's environmental benefits where carried through the planning, development, operation and maintenance of the facility.

We announce the winners of the Environmental Excellence Awards on Earth Day 2003 as a way of recognizing and showcasing the transportation projects and the stewards who provide a balance between environmental protection and mobility. These winning projects, processes, and people are being recognized in the following categories: Cultural and Historical Resources; Ecosystems, Habitat and Wildlife; Environmental Leadership; Environmental Streamlining; Environmental Research; Livable Communities; Nonmotorized Transportation; Recycling; Roadside Resource Management and Maintenance; Scenic Byways; and Wetlands, and Water Quality.

Let us take their examples and build upon them. These winning efforts show us how to be better stewards of our environment and we need to share their accomplishments to promote, protect, and enhance our environment and our way of life.

Mary Peters
Federal Highway Administrator
April 22, 2003