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EPA Recognizes Fairfax County, Va. 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 Fairfax County, Va. with a Clean Water Partners award for taking “extraordinary actions” to protect watersheds.

“Through it’s continuous efforts to evaluate the environmental impacts on the Chesapeake Bay, Fairfax County has demonstrated 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.

Fairfax County 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.

Fairfax County has been involved in a long-term evaluation program to benefit the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The “Ecological Study of Gunston Cove” monitors and evaluates the point and non-point source contributions to determine impact, changes and health of the ecosystem to assist in planning watershed management strategies

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.