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EPA Recognizes Cumberland for ‘Extraordinary Actions’ to Protect Watershed

Release Date: 4/1/2003
Contact Information: Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented the city of Cumberland, Md. with a Clean Water Partners award for taking “extraordinary actions” to protect watersheds.

“Through it’s continuous efforts to protect the Evitts Creek watershed, the City of Cumberland demonstrates how local governments can play an important role in protecting our nation’s waters,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.

Cumberland is among 79 organizations and municipalities selected nationwide as Clean Water Partners. The program is part of EPA’s celebration of the Year of Clean Water. EPA Administrator Christie Whitman and Assistant Administrator G. Tracy Mehan III presented the awards during ceremonies today.

Cumberland coordinates a multi-jurisdictional program that’s committed to enhancing the water quality in the streams feeding Lake Koon and Lake Gordon by employing best management practices and environmentally sound engineering techniques within the Evitts Creek Watershed.

Applications for the awards were announced in the Federal Register in April 2002. Each applicant had to complete a compliance screening and was reviewed by a panel including EPA, the Water Environment Federation, Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) and National League of Cities.