Environmental Achievement Awards Recipients
Individuals
Mr. Joel Kemm, Prescribed Fire Specialist, FWS, MN - Mr. Kemm created a mutually beneficial partnership with loggers to remove scrub brush and trees for use in bio-energy production. Before the partnership, loggers viewed such timber stands as unmarketable and would have charged for tree removal. This program saved money, restored habitat at the Stanton Prairie Waterfowl Production Area in Wisconsin, and contributed to alternative energy production. more
Mr. Dan Thorington, Recycling Coordinator, FWS, AK – Mr. Thorington started an outstanding recycling program for Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. He produced a creative and comprehensive recycling guide for visitors and employees, diverts 80% of waste from the Center, and forges recycling partnership with others in the community. more
Mr. Paul Gammon, Paint Can Recovery, Re-Use and Recycling System, BLM, OR –As with most land management agencies, the Bureau of Land Management uses spray paint to mark trees for trail signage. To divert the hazardous waste stream of the “spent” aerosol cans, Mr. Paul Gammon designed and built a machine to recover the paint remaining in each can enabling reuse of paint and recycling of the metal cans. more
Teams
Clark Fork River Response and Restoration Team, NPS and BLM, MT - The Clark Fork River basin contains one of the most complex Superfund cleanup sites and includes Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site and Bureau of Land Management managed lands. The Departmental case team forged an alliance with their stakeholders to secure funding for all necessary response and restoration activities. more
California Marijuana Garden Clean-up Project Team, BLM, CA - Marijuana growth on remote public lands continues to increase. Not only a problem for the law enforcement community, the growers damage ecosystems by contaminating soil and water and alternating water courses in arid regions. This successful BLM project used mustangs adopted through the Wild Horse and Burrow Program to clean-up two illegal marijuana gardens on BLM managed land. more
Gosnold Laboratory Addition and Renovation Team, USGS, MA - The U.S. Geological Survey Woods Hole Science Center recently completed a 4,400 square foot laboratory addition designed and constructed using the sustainable design principles and technologies including: a vegetated roof, native landscaping, a rain garden, use of low emitting and non-toxic materials, natural ventilation and lighting, and an increased connection with the outdoor surroundings. more
Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic and Wind Energy System, San Andres National Wildlife Refuge, FWS, NM - Using a tiered approach to install on-site renewable energy generation, the San Andres National Wildlife Refuge is able to supply 100% of it’s own power for several months out of the year and decreased energy intensity by 80% from the FY 2003 baseline. more
Nulhagen Basin Green Administration Building and Visitor Contact Center, Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, FWS, VT - The Nulhegan Basin Administration Building and Visitor Contact Center at the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is the first Energy Star Building for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and achieved a Silver designation under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings version 2.0 rating standard. more
East Teshekpuk Legacy Well Remediation Team, BLM, AK - Teshekpuk Lake and its surrounding lakes and coastal wetlands are widely recognized as the most productive, diverse and sensitive wetlands ecosystem in the American Arctic. The Team first successfully secured $16 million dollars to remediate the site and avert an environmental disaster. Second, by working closely with the contractor, the team adjusted work schedules and project work plan tasks, working around the clock at times, to deal with weather-related problems. The team included Native communities and governments in meetings to provide updates. The cleanup project successfully finished on time and under budget with zero safety incidents or injuries. more
City of Poplar Well Threat Plume Capture and Remediation Team, USGS, MT - The City of Poplar —headquarters for the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation— has only one source of potable ground water. This aquifer was threatened by brine infiltration seven times saltier than ocean water. Open communication and data sharing enabled scientific agencies, regulatory agencies, and the oil company to improve water quality in the aquifer. more
Honorable Mentions
Farallon National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Management System Team, FWS, CA more
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks, NPS, CA and MT more
Curry Village Employee Housing Project Design Team, Yosemite National Park, NPS, CA more
Guest Services, Inc., Construction of the Food Concession Kiosk at The Lincoln Memorial, National Mall & Memorial Parks, NPS Concessioner, DC more
Sustainable Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Center and Administrative Building Project Team, FWS, OR more
National Wildlife Health Center Environmental Management Team, USGS, WI more
Greg Owens, Wilna Lodge Modular Building, Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, FWS, VA more
Blue Ridge Parkway Sustainable Destination Center, NPS, NC more
Big Bend Resorts, LLC, Big Bend Resorts Recycling and Green Purchasing Programs, Big Bend National Park, NPS, TX more
Going-to-the-Sun Road Transportation System Transit Implementation Team, Glacier National Park, NPS, MT more