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U.S.EPA HONORS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION WITH EARTH DAY AWARD AT CEREMONY

Release Date: 4/12/2000
Contact Information: Paula Bruin, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1587

     SAN FRANCISCO--  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today paid tribute to the Environmental Health Coalition during a ceremony in San Diego.  U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Felicia Marcus presented an Earth Day award to EHC Executive Director Diane Takvorian for the coalition's work in addressing  air pollution problems affecting the Barrio Logan community.

     "The talented members of this coalition have applied creativity, teamwork and leadership in addressing many of the community's most pressing and complex environmental problems," Marcus said.  "The EHC has paved the way for Barrio Logan and other low-income minority communities to identify and monitor cumulative emissions impacts that directly impact their health.  They are setting an example for all of us to follow."

     The EPA Region 9 Earth Day Award acknowledges demonstrated commitment and significant contributions to the environment in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and tribal lands.  Forty-six groups and individuals were selected from more than 160 nominees received this year from businesses, media, local and state government officials, tribes, environmental organizations, and citizen activists. An Earth Day Celebration Ceremony for all winners will be held April 18 in the region's home office in San Francisco.

     The Environmental Health Coalition is a grassroots, non-profit environmental justice organization, which works with a coalition of government agencies, non-profits, industry groups, schools and health centers to form the Barrio Logan air Monitoring Workgroup.  The Workgroup evaluates and addresses air pollution problems affecting the community.  As a result of EHC's leadership, the California Air Resources Board and the San Diego Air Pollution Control District are financing a one-year air monitoring effort with significant community involvement.  In addition, CARB has announced that they plan to duplicate the Barrio Logan community involvement and participating effort in other communities as a cornerstone of their Neighborhood Impacts Program.