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On November 16, 2004, New Jersey Department
of Environmental ProtectionCommissioner Bradley M. Campbell
honored environmental leaders at a ceremony, handing
out the annual Environmental Excellence Awards to winners in nine
categories. The awards recognize individuals, businesses, and communities
who have made significant contributions to environmental protection
in New Jersey.
Winners were selected from a pool of nominations and were judged on
the basis of the documented environmental benefits, innovation, and
long-term impact of their work to the environment. DEP received nominations
in nine categories: Clean Air, Clean and Plentiful Water, Safe and Healthy
Communities, Open Space Protection and Preservation, Healthy Ecosystems,
Innovative Technology, Environmental Stewardship, Environmental Leadership,
and Environmental Education.
In 2004, the New Jersey Environmental Excellence Awards
were presented to the following groups and individuals:
Clean Air Category
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Jennifer
Kyle (l), Dave Kitts (2nd from left) and Robert
Hunt (r) of Mannington
Mills, winners of the
2004 Environmental Excellence Award for Clean Air,
with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner: Mannington Mills, Inc.
Mannington Mills produces residential and commercial
flooring products at their corporate headquarters located in Mannington
Township in Salem County. This award recognizes Mannington for implementing
a number of clean air initiatives at their facility including switching
from solvent-based to water-based inks. In addition to decreasing and
eliminating air emissions for a number of compounds, their efforts have
also resulted in significant energy savings each year. |
Clean Water Category
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Jennifer Bryson (r),
President of the Sourlands Planning Council,winner
of the 2004 Environmental Excellence Award for Clean Water,
with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner: Sourlands Planning Council
The Sourlands Planning Council is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to preservation and conservation issues in the Sourlands Mountain region in the central New Jersey counties of Hunterdon, Mercer and Somerset. This award recognizes the Council for their comprehensive efforts to improve this region's water quality and quantity. Efforts include advocating and promoting municipal rezoning and resource protective ordinances as well as developing a comprehensive management plan designed to preserve natural and cultural resources and to encourage consistent smart growth land-use strategies.
Honorable Mentions:
- Atlantic County Utilities Authority
- Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority
- Janssen Pharmaceuticals
- North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council and Hunterdon
- County Planning Board
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Environmental Education Category
Winner: Hillside School Environmental Leadership Protectors
Hillside School Environmental Leaders and Protectors (HELP), a 100-member environmental club comprised of fourth and fifth graders, received this year's Environmental Education award for a student activity. These students of the Hillside Intermediate School located in Bridgewater performed a number of tasks related to habitat loss and wildlife populations. Among these were transformation of six acres of school property into a nature preserve. Other projects included reforestation, establishing a wildlife meadow, a freshwater marsh and hosting an annual Forest Fest environmental festival.
Honorable Mention:
- Washington Township Environmental Commission
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Environmental Leadership Category
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Lucy Bottomley, 2004 Environmental Excellence Award winner for Environmental Leadership, with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner: Lucy Bottomley
Until her recent retirement, Lucy Bottomley was the
inspirational leader of the Navy Lakehurst Environmental Program. For
over 25 years, Lucy Bottomley, dedicated her career to improving the
environment in the areas of potable water and air compliance, recycling,
waste water and hazardous waste management. In addition, she was responsible
for initiating partnerships with several local schools that resulted
in a number of novel science programs for students. Her unwavering dedication
to protection of the environment while supporting the Navy mission, have
contributed to this recognition for her many accomplishments. |
Environmental Stewardship Category
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Alice Hemphill,
winner of the 2004 Environmental Excellence Awardfor Environmental
Stewardship, with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner: Alice Hemphill
Alice Hemphill, Chairwoman of the Manasquan Environmental
Commission since 1990, is recognized as this year's recipient of the
Environmental Stewardship award for her tireless efforts as an environmental
advocate and for preserving land and protecting Manasquan's natural resources.
Among her accomplishments are land, waterway and beach cleanups, promoting
recycling efforts,
initiating environmental educational programs, water quality monitoring, and
implementation of a stream restoration project.
She was also instrumental in spearheading
the drive to save Fisherman's Cove that ultimately resulted in the establishment
of a new Monmouth County park. |
Healthy Ecosystems Category
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John Balletto (r),
Chair of the NJ Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership & PSE&G,
winner of the 2004 Environmental Excellence Award winner for Healthy
Ecosystems, with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner: NJ Corporate Wetlands Restoration
Partnership
The NJ Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP),
formed in 2003, is an innovative public/private partnership between government
agencies, business, community groups, conservation organizations, and
academia to protect, enhance and restore important coastal habitats.
This year the organization is honored for their part in projects resulting
in the construction of a fish ladder at Batsto Village and an innovative
oil spill protection project whereby anchors for rapid deployment of
booms are installed on pilings at the mouth of tributaries in ecologically
sensitive waterways. CWRP has also contributed toward continued research
of Delaware Bay shorebird and horseshoe crab populations.
Honorable Mentions:
- Pine Hill Scout Reservation
- Franklin Township
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Innovative Technology Category
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Mayor Joseph Foy (r)
and Robert Schriebel (l) of the Township of Burlington,
winner of the 2004 Environmental Excellence Awardfor Innovative
Technology, with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner: Township of Burlington
In response to a surge of residential and commercial
development during the 1990's, the Township of Burlington decided to
expand and upgrade their original Central Avenue Wastewater Treatment
Facility. Using a New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust/New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection low-interest loan for the construction
of the project, the new expanded and upgraded facility was dedicated
on October 21, 2000. In addition to preventing pollution by discharging
a cleaner effluent, other environmental benefits of this facility include
resource and energy conservation. This award recognizes the Township
of Burlington's innovative wastewater treatment facility. |
Open Space Protection and Preservation
Category
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Linda Mead (l) and Dennis
Davidson (r), of the Delaware and
Raritan Greenway, winners of the 2004 Environmental Excellence
Award for Open Space Protection and Preservation, with DEP
Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner (tie): Delaware and Raritan
Greenway
The Delaware and Raritan Greenway is being honored for
being a model in the open space protection movement in New Jersey. For
the last 15 years, Delaware and Raritan Greenway's efforts have resulted
in the protection of thousands of acres in central New Jersey.
In conjunction with the DEP Green Acres Program, in the last year alone, Delaware
and Raritan Greenway’s work led to protection of 1,190 acres of mature
forests and perched wetlands in the Sourlands region that will provide for critical
wildlife habitat and water resource protection. |
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Robert Celebrio, Executive
Director of the Meadowlands Commission, DEP Commissioner Bradley
M. Campbell, Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan
Bass Levin (from left to right) |
Winner (tie): NJ Meadowlands Commission
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is honored for
its open space work involving development and adoption of a master plan
presenting a multifaceted approach to smart growth and sustainability
for the Hackensack Meadowlands District. The 30-square mile Meadowlands
District is located approximately five miles west of New York City and
encompasses portions of fourteen municipalities. One of the features
of the Master Plan is the preservation of 8,400 acres of wetlands in
this heavily urbanized area. Other smart growth efforts are designed
to enhance the quality of life throughout the Meadowlands for generations
to come.
Honorable Mention:
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Safe and Healthy Communities Category
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Rich Orlufsky (r)
of the United States Postal Service, winner of the 2004
Environmental Excellence Award for Safe and Healthy Communities,
with DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell |
Winner: United States Postal Service
On October 18, 2001, the Hamilton Postal facility was
closed due to the first case of anthrax bio-terrorism in this country.
The United States Postal Service is receiving this award in recognition
of the recently completed anthrax cleanup at the Hamilton Postal facility
in Mercer County. Through the Postal Service's hard work and leadership,
the largest anthrax decontamination in United States history was completed
safely and efficiently. This unique challenge resulted in the development
of innovative cleanup strategies with far reaching implications in public
health and emergency response and planning.
Honorable Mention:
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