ELIZABETH A. BLAIR RECEIVES THE 2005 NOAA EXCELLENCE AWARD
FOR COASTAL AND OCEAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Elizabeth A. Blair has won the 2005 NOAA Excellence Award for Coastal and Ocean Resource Management. Administered by NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the award honors an individual who has initiated innovative practices and brought positive change to the management of ocean or coastal resources at either the state or national level. A ceremony to honor Blair 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.

Blair, reserve manager of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve at Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., has worked as a biologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation since 1985. Since 1992, she has also served as regional marine habitat manager and overseen a variety of estuary-wide projects, including submerged habitat mapping, habitat restoration and training for resource managers and the public.

“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.

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