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EPA to Honor Fresno Bee on Earth Day

Release Date: 4/22/2003
Contact Information: Lisa Fasano, (415) 947-4307; or Wendy Chavez, (415) 947-4248

SAN FRANCISCO -- During the agency's fifth annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San
Francisco tomorrow, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri will present a plaque to the Fresno
Bee for its production of "Last Gasp: A Special Report on Valley Air Quality."

"The Fresno Bee is to be commended for elevating public awareness regarding the serious air
pollution challenges that continue to face residents of the San Joaquin Valley," Nastri said. "The
Bee continues to keep all of us on our toes as we move forward in cleaning up air in the Valley."

The EPA Region 9 Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitment and significant
contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam and tribal lands. Forty
four groups and individuals were selected from over 200 nominees received this year from businesses,
media, local, state and federal government officials, tribes, environmental organizations and citizen
activists.

Last Gasp: a Special Report on Valley Air Quality exhibits extensive research in the subject of
Valley air pollution, including its history, contributing factors, health effects, regulatory activity
at all levels of government and potential solutions. A team of newspaper staff spent months
interviewing regulators, physicians, community activists, farmers, industry representatives and
others to present the most complete story yet on what causes the Central Valley's air problems,
and what it will take to see improvement. Detailed, informative graphics and hard hitting photos
complement the first person stories of asthma sufferers and others who are most affected when
air quality is at its worst.

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