FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 11, 2017
DEP's Northwest District Presents Environmental Stewardship and Outstanding Community Partnership Awards
~District recognizes organizations for work to protect Florida's natural resources~
From left to right: Mark Gibson, NAS Pensacola; Stephen Sorrell, executive director of Emerald Coast Utilities; Shawn Hamilton, director of DEP’s Northwest District; Shawn Dominquez, Commander U.S. Navy; Tony Anderson, Walton County Commissioner; and Chris Gudeman, city of Tallahassee.
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District recognized four local organizations for outstanding achievements in environmental stewardship and community partnership. The city of Tallahassee’s Underground Utilities and Public Infrastructure Department, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority and Naval Air Station Pensacola were recognized for outstanding environmental stewardship, while Walton County was recognized for outstanding community partnership.
“On behalf of DEP and the state of Florida, I am proud to recognize these organizations for their accomplishments and environmental stewardship,” said Shawn Hamilton, director of DEP’s Northwest District. “With such outstanding community partners working alongside us, going above and beyond what is required of them, we can better accomplish our goal of safeguarding Florida’s natural resources.”
The environmental stewardship awards program recognizes businesses, professional and community organizations, and local governments within DEP's Northwest District for proactive, innovative and exceptional achievements to prevent or reduce impacts on the environment beyond measures required by permit or rule. To be considered for recognition, participants must demonstrate significant and measurable achievements that provide a direct benefit to our environment.
City of Tallahassee's Underground Utilities and Public Infrastructure Department's achievements include:
- Constructing a highly effective and innovative alum facility in Tallahassee for stormwater discharge improvements to Upper Lake Lafayette - treating a 10,000-acre watershed.
- Creating an educational video to highlight the facility and provide information to the public.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority's achievements include:
- Operating three water reclamation facilities, all of which are permitted as advanced wastewater treatment facilities, which incorporate reuse of reclaimed water.
- Designing and implementing a composting program, which reduces operating costs for wastewater and yard waste programs.
- Developing a voluntary singe stream curbside recycling program in 2009, and growing participation to 68 percent of the sanitation customer base in Escambia County.
Naval Air Station Pensacola's achievements include:
- Spearheading the International Coastal Cleanup for the 32nd consecutive year. More than 60 volunteers helped clean over 5 miles of beaches and shorelines on the base, removing 1,450 pounds of trash.
- Serving as the Certified Prescribed Burn Manager for both NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field, and conducting additional burns in support of Big Lagoon State Park.
- Achieving the high standards required to earn the clean and resilient marina designation for two recreational boating facilities located on the base.
Walton County was recognized for their recent work, in partnership with DEP, to quickly and effectively close a local, abandoned construction and debris facility, reducing environmental impacts and addressing concerns of the surrounding community.
The awards were presented during the district’s annual open house aimed at growing the community’s awareness of the agency’s mission, increasing communication and developing collaborative relationships. Guests were invited to meet the district’s staff and director Shawn Hamilton. Permitting and compliance experts from each of the district's regulatory programs – Waste, Air, Water and Environmental Resources – were on hand to answer questions and provide information about their respective programs.
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