[StBernard] Awards and Recognition News Release (Region 6): The Louisiana Beach Monitoring Program Receives GULF GUARDIAN AWARD

[Westley Annis]

The Louisiana Beach Monitoring Program Receives GULF GUARDIAN AWARD 

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -  The Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced
that the Louisiana Beach Monitoring Program of the Louisiana Department of
Health and Hospitals of Baton Rouge, Louisiana will receive a second place
Gulf Guardian Award for 2007 in the Government Category.  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.


In 2002, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public
Health (LDHH-OPH) successfully prepared a proposal that secured a grant
under the national Beach Act of 2000 to develop and implement a Beach
Monitoring Program for the state of Louisiana. To develop the best beach
monitoring program possible, LDHH-OPH coordinated with local governments,
sheriff offices, state agencies, federal agencies and citizen organizations.
The development of a beach monitoring program provided the first ever
program that protects the health of Louisiana's beach-going citizens' state
wide. The Louisiana Beach Monitoring Program has used innovative and
creative application of both technology and personnel.  Both the development
of a tiered beach monitoring plan that concentrates limited resources where
the most risk is, and a decision process that scientifically determines when
pathogen indicators show a health threat and warrant an advisory are
examples of the use of innovative technology.  In addition, LDHH-OPH has
accomplished the successful sampling of all beach monitoring stations
including proper quality assurance for sampling and transportation to the
laboratory with less than 10 people. 

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.