KATHERINE ANN ESCHELBACH OF CHAPEL HILL, N.C., RECEIVES THE 2005 WALTER B. JONES MEMORIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COASTAL AND MARINE GRADUATE STUDY

Katherine Ann Eschelbach, of Chapel Hill, N.C., has won the 2005 Walter B. Jones Memorial Award for Excellence in Coastal and Marine Graduate Study. Administered by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the award recognizes graduate students whose academic study promises to contribute materially to the development of new or improved approaches to coastal or ocean management. A ceremony to honor Eschelbach and the other winners will take place on March 9, 2005 in Washington, D.C. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Eschelbach is a 2004 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a master’s degree in regional planning. She conducted the statewide natural hazards risk assessment for North Carolina, which played a fundamental role in advising statewide policy formulation for the North Carolina natural hazards mitigation plan.

“From coast to coast, remarkable people are making a difference. These awards honor the coastal and ocean stewards who dedicate countless hours and energy to conserving coastal resources and improving coastal communities,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

Under the Coastal Zone Management Act, every two years NOAA honors the achievements and accomplishments of those who make noteworthy contributions in the management of the nation’s coast.

The awards were created to honor the late North Carolina Congressman Walter B. Jones. As chairman of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, Congressman Jones was a strong supporter of the National Marine Fisheries Service and Coastal Zone Management. He provided leadership on numerous legislative initiatives addressing coastal and ocean issues ranging from commercial shipping to oil spill clean-up and prevention to flood insurance reform.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and to providing environmental stewardship of our Nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov