Who is making an outstanding effort
to protect and restore the S.F. Bay-Delta Estuary, and to implement the
S.F. Estuary Project's Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan? These
projects received awards from Friends of the S.F. Estuary and applause at
the October State of the Estuary conference.
The Cosumnes River Project - a river ecosystem preserve that has
expanded from 1,000 to over 10,000 acres. The Nature Conservancy
The Santa Clara County General Plan - recently updated to include
non-point source pollution control, wetland and riparian restoration,
and watershed management. Santa Clara County Planning Department
BayKeeper - a citizen and community-based watchdog of polluters.
Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems - helping farmers reduce reliance
on chemicals in seven Central Valley counties. Community Alliance with
Family Farmers
Richmond High School Environmental Justice Project - organizing "creekkeeping"
activities for high school youth. S.F. Estuary Project,
S.F. Regional Board, Friends of the Estuary Watershed education programs
- including Kids in Creeks, San Leandro and Sausal Creek community awareness
programs, an annual educators conference, and more. S.F. Estuary Institute
with support from Alameda County Flood Control District and Alameda
Clean Water Program
Expansion of Don Edwards S.F. Bay National Wildlife Refuge - from
23,000 acres to 45,746 acres. U.S. Fish & Wildlife and local interests
Yolo Basin Wetlands and Bypass Wildlife Area - converting over 3,500
acres of farmland to wetlands in the largest public/private restoration
project in the Western states. Yolo Basin Foundation
Copper Sulfate Root Killer Brochure- a brochure produced by a voluntary
association of POTWs to coordinate and protect water quality. S.F. Bay
Area Pollution Prevention Group
Silicon Valley Pollution Prevention Agreement - negotiated between
a coalition of environmental groups and the City of San Jose to prevent
toxic pollutant discharges at their source (South Bay copper and nickel
levels have since declined significantly). CLEAN South Bay Coalition,
co-founded by Communities for a Better Environment
Individual Outstanding Effort - Rick Morat, U.S. Fish & Wildlife