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EPA recognizes Fredericksburg company for environmentally-friendly construction

Release Date: 10/16/2007
Contact Information: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov, (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA – (October 16, 2007) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Aikido of Fredericksburg, Va. as a leader in promoting environmentally-friendly development.

The non-profit corporation received the recognition because its new headquarters in Spotsylvania, Va. is being built to minimize environmental impact. Building concepts include using design features on the 20-acre construction site that emphasize “low impact development” processes that help control harmful storm water runoff.

“Projects like this serve as great examples of how smart building practices can help protect the environment by controlling storm water runoff,” said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA’s mid Atlantic Region. “Retaining as much storm water as possible on land – rather than letting it run to storm drains – can help keep harmful flows and pollutants out of our streams and rivers.”

Aikido of Fredericksburg was recognized under the Leadership in Low Impact Development Program that was created by a cooperative agreement between EPA’s mid-Atlantic region and the Low Impact Development Center in Beltsville, Md. to highlight exceptional efforts in storm water management.

Low impact development is a storm water management strategy concerned with maintaining or restoring the natural hydrologic functions of a site to achieve natural resource protection objectives. Low impact development addresses storm water through small, cost-effective site design and landscape.

More information on low impact development can be found at https://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/ and more information on the recognition program can be found at www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/recognition .