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Louisiana Gulf Guardian Award Winners
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENov. 7, 2002
Louisiana Gulf Guardian Award Winners
STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – The Greater Lafourche Port Commission in Calliano, La., received a second place Gulf Guardian Award yesterday at the annual ceremony held at the Clean Gulf 2002 Conference in Galveston, Texas. Ted Falgout, executive director of the Port Commission accepted the award.
In 1980, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission initiated a Bayou Awareness Program whose mission was to rid Bayou Lafourche of numerous derelict vessels that littered its banks. This initiative quickly evolved into a cause whose efforts are to rid the bayou not only of derelict vessels, but also of trash, debris, abandoned wharfs, and pilings. The general Bayou Beautification effort has spanned two decades and has led to total embankment restoration, which includes re-establishing marsh plants along the shoreline interface. It also has brought about the evolution of increased awareness and pride, as evidenced in the rise of support group activity and the support of the general public.
“The Gulf Guardian Awards take on special significance in 2002 as we celebrate 30 years since the passage of the Clean Water Act,” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. “The efforts of those being recognized as Gulf Guardians are key to our success as we address water issues. These award winners accepted the challenge and have joined us as we restore and protect our nation’s waters for future generations."
“Three years ago the Gulf of Mexico Program developed the Gulf Guardian awards as a method of recognizing and honoring the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive,” said Bryon Griffith, deputy director of the Gulf of Mexico Program. “These award winners today exemplify the exceptional level of quality of effort being undertaken cooperatively by the public and private sectors to address critical issues that face Gulf coastal communities,” he added.
The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. Award entries were received from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. A first, second, and third place award are given each year in six categories – individual, business, youth and education, nonprofit organizations, government, and partnership efforts.
The Gulf of Mexico Program is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States. The Gulf Program seeks to improve the environmental health of the Gulf in concert with economic development.
For more information about the Gulf Guardian call Terry Hines Smith at
228-688-1159. Photos of the award winners accepting their awards with
accompanying cutlines are below.
Terry Hines Smith, APR
Gulf of Mexico Program
Office of Public Affairs
Mail Code: EPA/GMPO
Stennis Space Center MS 39529-6000
(228) 688-1159
Fax: (228) 688-2709
Email: hines-smith.terry@epa.gov
Web Site: https://www.epa.gov/gmpo
The mission of the Gulf of Mexico Program is to facilitate the protection and restoration of the coastal marine waters of the Gulf of Mexico and its coastal natural habitats; to sustain living resources; to protect human health and the food supply; and to ensure the recreational use of Gulf shores, beaches and waters in ways consistent with the economic well-being of the region, through a network of citizens and institutions.
Mr. Ted Falgout, executive director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission,
accepted a second place Gulf Guardian Award in the Government category
for the Bayou Lafourche Beautification Project. He accepted the award
at the Nov. 6 ceremony in Galveston, Texas, at the Clean Gulf Conference.
Pictured from left to right are: Bryon Griffith, deputy director of the
Gulf of Mexico Program and event host; Dugan Sabins of the Louisiana Department
of Environmental Quality and award presenter; and Ted Falgout of the Port
Commission.
