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EPA Honors Puerto Ricans For Outstanding Environmental Achievements

Release Date: 04/23/1998
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(#98042) San Juan, P.R. -- Four individuals and organizations from Puerto Rico were honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today for their outstanding commitment to protecting the environment, as EPA Region 2 Administrator, Jeanne Fox, announced Environmental Quality Awards to the honorees during a ceremony held at the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York City. Dr. Joanne Fox-Przeworski, Director of the United Nations Environment Programme for North America and Environmental Quality Award recipient, gave the key note address.

"The work of the Environmental Quality Award winners has had a direct effect on the quality of the environment in Puerto Rico," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Region 2 Administrator. "The unwavering commitment of these Puerto Ricans to making our world a better place should serve as an example to us all. These awards are our way of saying 'thank you' to the adults and young people with whom we share a sense of environmental purpose."

EPA Region 2 presents Environmental Quality Awards annually to individuals, nonprofit groups, educators, businesspeople, government officials and journalists from New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who have made significant contributions to improving the quality of the environment in the region. Winners are chosen by an internal panel that reviews nominations submitted from inside and outside the Agency.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Region 2

Environmental Quality Award Winners: Puerto Rico

Government

Pedro Pérez Arroyo, P.E., San Juan

Pedro Pérez, P.E., who served for 30 years as an engineer with the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewers Authority (PRASA), paved the way for the approval of $800 million in EPA funds to provide sewage treatment for the majority of Puerto Rico's urban population. His actions resulted in better protection of Puerto Rico's surface waters and the general public health. As head of PRASA's Federal Programs Office, his workload more than doubled every year. By facilitating federal grants to Puerto Rico for sewage treatment system improvements, over many years, he earned the unquestionable and unchallenged title of "Mr. September." Improving Puerto Rico's environment and quality of life was his mission and a major accomplishment.

Captain Wilfredo Castillo, Commissioner, Guaynabo Municipal Police, Guaynabo

As Commissioner of the Guaynabo Municipal Police, Captain Castillo has vigorously enforced the ordinances that prohibit the illegal disposal of solid and liquid wastes. He ordered studies to identify clandestine landfills and implemented a plan to ensure their closure. He has participated in environmental education programs, conducted forums with municipal employees and concerned citizens, and has also been prominently involved in various cleanup campaigns conducted by municipal and commonwealth agencies. Because of his outstanding contributions to a better environment, the Municipality of Guaynabo has been designated as the "Cleanest Municipality in Puerto Rico" for the last three years.

Dr. Vivian Mestey-Villamil, Cayey University College, Cayey

Dr. Vivian Mestey is the creator and organizer of the Educational Fair on Endangered Species and Global Warming celebrated at Cayey University College during Earth Week. The Eco-Fair consists of exhibitions by local and federal agencies, displays on endangered animals and ecosystems prepared by students, a children's art shows, an "eco-theater," field trips, an "exploration center" and more. The Eco-Fair was designed to educate adults and children on environmental issues that affect our planet. Participation has grown from 13 agencies and 3,000 visitors in 1992 to 40 agencies and 12,000 visitors in 1997.

Business

IPR Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Guayama

To express its commitment to the environment and to contribute to the worldwide phase-out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants in 1993, IPR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. examined its operations to identify CFC's that could be replaced with non-ozone depleting alternatives. IPR developed a strategy to completely eliminate the use of CFC's at its Carolina and Guayama Plants. The company's CFC replacement project will benefit the environment and the atmosphere by ensuring adequate emission control without the use of CFC's by using EPA- acceptable non-ozone depleting alternatives.

Nominees for the 1999 Environmental Quality Awards should be sent to Chris Sebastian, 290 Broadway, New York, New York, 10007.

For more information contact:
Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: mears.mary@epamail.epa.gov