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MEDIA ADVISORY: EPA kicks off Earth Week with Monday press conference on the Great Lakes Earth Day Challenge at the Shedd Aquarium

Release Date: 04/18/2008
Contact Information: Anne Rowan, 312- 353-9391, rowan.anne@epa.gov, Elizabeth Latenser, 312-692-3363 (Shedd Aquarium)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 08-OPA068

(Chicago, Ill. - April 18, 2008)

WHO: Mary A. Gade, Great Lakes National Program Manager and Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region 5
Douglas Scott, Director, Illinois EPA
Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Commissioner, Chicago Dept. of Environment
Lyman Welch, Water Quality Program Manager for the Alliance for the Great Lakes
Melanie Napoleon, Director of Shedd Aquarium's Great Lakes Conservation Initiative

WHAT: The speakers will discuss environmental and water quality issues associated with e-waste and pharmaceuticals. Chicago is among at least 125 communities and organizations in the Great Lakes basin sponsoring collections of e-waste and unused medications during Earth Month. U.S. EPA has provided a total of more than $500,000 in grants to help fund 26 events throughout the basin, including events in Chicago. The Agency's goal is to collect at least 1 million lbs of e-waste and 1 million pills for proper disposal.

A two-minute preview of WYCC's new City Science series, funded in part by a Federal grant and focusing on the Great Lakes Earth Day Challenge, will also be shown.

WHERE: John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago

WHEN: 9:30 a.m., Monday, April 21

NOTE: All media representatives must enter through the loading dock and check in with security officers. Media credentials will be necessary.
Other guests may enter through the south lobby doors.

To find out more about collection events, go to https://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/earthday2008