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TWO FROM MAINE RECEIVE EPA AWARD

Release Date: 04/25/1997
Contact Information: Kathleen Bogie, (617) 918-1976

BOSTON-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will recognize 38 New England environmental champions, including two from Maine, with Environmental Merit Awards during an Earth Day celebration Monday at Faneuil Hall in Boston.

"New Englanders have a long tradition of being acutely aware of their environment and taking action to protect it. We are pleased to honor just a few of those that truly deserve recognition for their actions," said EPA Regional Administrator John P. DeVillars. " The winners, in fact all of the nominees, set an example for all of us to follow."

The Merit Awards, presented annually since 1970, recognize demonstrated commitment and significant contributions to the environment. The winners were selected from more than 100 nominations received this year from businesses, media, local and state government officials, environmental organizations, and citizen activists.

The Maine winners and basis for recognition are:

Jim Dow is the Downeast Field Representative for the Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. His work has focused on conservation at the ecosystem level. Mr. Dow works in partnership with local communities, businesses, organizations, and residents to conserve the rich biological resources and sustain the commercial productivity of Cobscook Bay, an estuary on the Canadian border, known for its great tides, bays, species diversity, and rich history of compatible human use. Cobscook Bay continues to thrive and flourish, due in large part to Mr. Dow's outstanding work.

Katherine Groves is recognized for her outstanding work as organizer and participant in the first annual Androscoggin Source to the Sea Canoe Trek. This creative event served both as a celebration of the success of pollution control measures in the Androscoggin, and as an effective mechanism to promote pollution prevention at several sites along the river. The canoe trek encompassed and involved the length of the river, with presentations and events at every stop along the way. Due to Ms. Groves outstanding planning and organizing, the events at each stop were tailored to the needs of each community, and the entire event was successful in fostering the environmental stewardship essential to further gains in environmental quality in the Androscoggin Watershed.