FHWA ANNOUNCES BIENNIAL COMPETITION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Federal Highway Administration
May 1, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 1, 2000
Contact: Jim Pinkelman
Tel.: 202-366-0660
FHWA 28-00

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced it is accepting entries for the biennial Environmental Excellence Awards Program.

"President Clinton and Vice President Gore are committed to making communities more livable and protecting the environment affected by transportation," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said. "This program is part of our commitment to honoring and encouraging our partners who go the extra mile to achieve environmental excellence in transportation."

FHWA Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle said that the competition recognizes outstanding projects, processes and people who incorporate environmental stewardship into transportation planning and development. Anyone can nominate a project, process, person or group that has used FHWA funding sources to make an outstanding contribution to transportation and the environment.

Projects must have been completed after the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 was signed into law on Dec. 18, 1991. The winners will be announced at a 2001 Earth Day celebration in Washington, D.C.

New categories have been added to the 2001 Environmental Excellence Awards program. The 12 categories are: Air Quality Improvement, Cultural Resources, Environmental Leadership, Environmental Research, Environmental Streamlining, Livable Communities, Noise Abatement, Non-motorized Transportation, Recycling, Scenic Byways, Vegetation Management, and Wetlands, Water Quality & Ecosystems.

For more information on the awards program, or to obtain brochures or entry forms, call Patricia Cazenas at 202-366-4085 – or visit the website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/