[StBernard] Awards and Recognition News Release (Region 6): Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Receives GULF GUARDIAN AWARD

[Westley Annis]

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Receives GULF GUARDIAN AWARD 

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -  The Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced
that the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Baton Rouge,
Louisiana will receive a first place Gulf Guardian Award for 2007 in the
Government Category, for their "Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and
Hurricane Protection:  LA Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable
Coast".  The awards will be presented during the 2007 Clean Gulf Conference
on November 14, 2007 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Bayside Ballroom in Tampa,
Florida beginning at 6 p.m. 

For the first time in Louisiana history, the state has a comprehensive
master plan that integrates coastal restoration and hurricane protection for
sustaining Louisiana's Gulf Coast.  To develop this plan, the state first
created the Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority (CPRA) in December
2005 with authority to articulate a clear statement of priorities and focus
development and implementation efforts.  In a remarkable 18-month public
process, lead by the expertise of the Department of Natural Resources, the
Department of Transportation and Development and other state agencies,
Louisiana now speaks with one clear voice for the future of Louisiana's
coast. 

The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a
way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals,
and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy,
beautiful and productive.   A first, second, and third place award are given
each year in seven categories - individual, business, youth and education,
nonprofit organizations, government, partnership and bi-national efforts. 

"Gulf Guardian awards showcase accomplishments from a broad spectrum of
environmental leaders -- from committed individuals to dynamic
corporations," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said.  "I
applaud their success in preserving the vital resources of the Gulf Coast,
one of our most valuable national treasures." 

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.  The Gulf of Mexico Program is underwritten 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. 

Bryon Griffith, Director of the Gulf of Mexico Program said "This is the 8th
year of the Gulf Guardian Awards Program and I am proud to say that each
year the winners in all categories have represented the very best of
environmental accomplishments in the Gulf of Mexico.  The 2007 award winners
truly exemplify the bond that enthusiastic and committed citizens,
communities, governments, and businesses share in addressing complex
problems to improve, protect, and sustain our regional and national
treasure, the Gulf of Mexico." 

For a list of all the Gulf Guardian Award winners for 2007, visit the Gulf
of Mexico Program web site at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo
<http://www.epa.gov/gmpo>  and click on the Gulf Guardian Award button. 

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Editor's Note:  For more information about the Gulf Guardian Awards and the
Gulf of Mexico Program, call the Gulf of Mexico Program Office at
228-688-3726 or visit our web site at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo.