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CONNECTICUT ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONS RECEIVE EPA MERIT AWARDS

Release Date: 04/22/1999
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs Office, (617) 918-1064

BOSTON - Four individuals and organizations from Connecticut were honored today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their contributions to the environment.

The Connecticut winners were among 39 recipients from around New England that received Environmental Merit Awards at an Earth Day ceremony at Faneuil Hall. The awards, given out since 1970, are given to individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to preserve the environment. This year's competition drew more than 80 applications.

"Today we celebrate the efforts of a group of people who have gone above and beyond to make the air, water and land cleaner and safer for years to come," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "All those who received awards, as well as those who were nominated, stand as models for how each of us can make a difference in protecting our environment."

The four winners from Connecticut were:

Industry Category

National Chromium, Putnum, CT
Since 1940, National Chromium has operated a metal finishing shop that plates machine parts. The company is being recognized for its proactive response to address complex site contamination problems and its commitment to environmental improvements to its production process. National Chromium has established a unique and proactive relationship with the University of Connecticut and Massachusetts Institute of Technology to make use of innovative investigative and remedial technologies to clean-up chrome contaminated soils and groundwater on the seven acre site. The company is conducting its cleanup under a voluntary corrective action agreement with EPA-New England and CT-DEP to stabilize contaminated soils and groundwater by the Year 2000. The company recently replaced its older plating lines with a new production facility that makes use of innovative metal plating and pollution prevention techniques, which have eliminated or reduced the company's use of a number of hazardous materials and substantially reduced their electric and water usage.

A WINNING PARTNERSHIP:
Reforest The Tropics, Inc. and Superior Nut Company
Reforest The Tropics, Inc. is a non-profit organization that reforests pastures and farms in Costa Rica to compensate for New England's carbon dioxide emissions and to mitigate the effects of climate change. The effort to develop a 15,0000 acre project is supported by the Costa Rican government and the U.S. Initiative for Joint Implementation. Reforest The Tropics is working with Connecticut College, The Mohegan Sun Casino, St. Mark's Church in New Canaan and with Connecticut elementary, middle and high schools to establish Klinki tree forests to offset their emissions. The Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative project will offset 238 tons of CO2 annually for 30 years in 15 acres of specialized forest in Costa Rica.

Superior Nut Co. in Cambridge, MA is owned by Harry Hintlian and is the first corporation in New England to establish a forest under this program. The forest is estimated to completely offset the company's carbon dioxide emissions for the next 30 years. Congratulations to Harry Hintlian and Superior Nut for their commitment to this unique project.

Organization Category

North Stonington Citizens Land Alliance
North Stonington Citizens Land Alliance is a ten year old grassroots land preservation organization with more than 200 members. Its mission is to protect the environment of North Stonington and neighboring southeast Connecticut towns. The Land Alliance works to encourage and maintain the environmental integrity and rural character of the town by preserving land, water and wildlife resources and actively promotes public awareness of local environmental issues. Accomplishments of the Land Alliance include co-sponsorship of a State scenic highway; raising funds to purchase key parcels of open space; participation in local and regional development hearings and reviews; and developing a GIS system to analyze open space and environmental resources that will assist local communities to develop conservation management strategies. The Land Alliance public education efforts include sponsoring Earth Day celebrations, and publishing a community newsletter. The Land Alliance members have demonstrated resourcefulness and commitment in pursuing their goals.

Norwalk River Watershed Initiative Committee
The Norwalk River Watershed Initiative Committee was established to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan for the Norwalk River in southwestern Connecticut and a portion of Westchester County, New York. The Watershed encompasses approximately 64 square miles in seven towns. The towns agreed to cooperatively address the Watershed's wide range of environmental problems. The Committee has 50 members including residents, municipal officials, local organizations, and representatives from state and federal agencies. In just 18 months, the Committee produced a comprehensive watershed management plan with specific goals and objectives - to build local capacity to restore and protect water quality and wildlife habitat - and began implementing the Action Plan. Education and outreach materials are being distributed in the community, a volunteer, citizen water quality monitoring program has been established and activities to restore the habitat of fish and wildlife are underway.