In 1995, the agency's Office of Environment and Planning launched this awards program to officially honor partners, projects, and processes that excel in protecting and enhancing the environment while at the same time meeting a growing transportation demand.
The 1997 awards are classified as either "environmental enhancements" or "distinguished environmental achievements." The categories developed for these awards range from habitat, water quality, and wetland preservation to air quality improvement and community cohesion. The winning entries were selected because they built partnerships, met environmental challenges creatively, and enhanced interagency coordination.
The next call for entries will be released in the spring of 1998 and the next awards presented on Earth Day 1999.