Action Please By: December 12, 1997
To: Members, Subscribers & Attorneys From: National Office Date: September 26, 1997 Subject: 1998 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Reference: MU 97-22
AMSA is now accepting nominations for its 1998 National Environmental Achievement Awards. These awards recognize the contributions of individuals and member agencies to the field of environmental protection and wastewater treatment. Since its inception in 1983, the AMSA awards program has honored 79 individuals and 53 member agencies. The following AMSA National Environmental Achievement Awards will be presented in 1998:
Individual Achievment Member Agency Achievement Public Service
- Federal
- State
-Local
Distinguished Performance
President's
EnvironmentResearch & Technology
Operations
Public Service
Public Information & Education
- Video
- Printed Publication
- Educational ProgramThe following pages provide both information on the eligibility and criteria for each award (pages 2-3) and instructions and forms for submitting nominations. Applications will be accepted through December 12, 1997. Following the deadline, all applications will be forwarded to AMSA's Awards Committee who will review each application and select honorees in February.
The 1998 National Environmental Achievement Awards will be presented during AMSA's National Environmental Policy Forum and 28th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, May 16-20, 1998. In 1998, for the first time, AMSA will formally notify chief elected officials of award-winning member agencies.
A Member Update soliciting nominations for AMSA's Gold and Silver Awards program, which relates to facility performance during the 1997 calendar year, will be forwarded to members in January 1998.
If you have any questions concerning the information in this update, please contact Claudine Bodin, manager of communications and public affairs, 202/833-4651.
Nomination Guidelines and Checklist
All applicants must follow the guidelines described below. Supporting information, such as documents, reports and videotapes, will be accepted; however, due to the limited time available for the Awards Committee to review such materials, the Association strongly recommends that the attributes of all nominees be highlighted as concisely as possible in the summary overview. It is expected that applicants for the Public Information & Education awards in video, print publications, and educational program will submit the appropriate supplemental material in addition to the summary overview.
For each nomination, please provide the following:
Individual Achievement Awards
o General Information Sheet.
o Summary overview detailing how the work and activities of the nominee specifically meet the
criteria for the selected award category. Please identify the name of the nominee and award
category at the top of the summary overview, which should not exceed 2 pages of double-spaced,
12-point type.
Agency Achievement Awards
oGeneral Information Sheet.
o Summary overview that lists and answers the following 10 points:
1) What was the activity?Please identify the agency name, award category, and project/program name at the top of the
2) Time frame of the activity.
3) Goals and objectives of the activity.
4) Results of the activity.
5) Level of participation in the activity - who, how many employees, organizational structure.
6) Did the activity have environmental education benefits? If so, to whom (if applicable).
7) Was there a demonstrated need for the activity? 8) In what way was the activity innovative?
9) Is the activity replicable by others?
10) Additional Information?
summary overview, which should not exceed 4 pages of double-spaced 12-point type.
Submit one completed application per nominee by December 12, 1997 to:
Claudine Bodin
Manager, Communications & Public Affairs
AMSA
1000 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 410
Washington, DC 20036
1998 INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Public Service Award (Three Categories)
Eligibility: Former or current elected or appointed public officials at the local, state, or federal level of
government. An award will be given to a public official at each level of government.
Criteria: Outstanding public service exhibiting a particular awareness of the problems faced by
municipal wastewater treatment agencies.
Distinguished Performance Award
Eligibility: Individual formerly representing AMSA member agencies who maintained an active role
in the Association during their tenure.
Criteria: Efforts and dedication in the field of water pollution control while representing their
agency.
President's Award
Eligibility: Individual currently representing AMSA member agencies.
Criteria: Individual must be a top level manager with a wastewater treatment agency who is active
in AMSA activities and who has made a major contribution towards achieving the goals
and objectives of AMSA.
Environment Award
Eligibility: Unrestricted.
Criteria: Outstanding environmental service.
1998 MEMBER AGENCY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Research & Technology Award
Eligibility: Production of a technological innovation related to wastewater treatment or
biosolids/sludge use and disposal.
Criteria: Research project or technological innovation directly relates to basic processes of
collection or treatment of wastewater or use of biosolids/sludge. Project must be
conducted in-house, or by a consultant under the direction of the agency. Project results
must have practical application.
Operations Award
Eligibility: Outstanding project, system, or method relating to wastewater treatment operations.
Criteria: Innovative and effective project, system, or method relating to wastewater treatment plant
or collection system operations developed and successfully implemented by an AMSA
member in a cost effective manner while achieving environmental compliance objectives.
Public Service Award
Eligibility: Significant contribution over the past year in local, state, or national public service related
to wastewater treatment, public utility operation, or environmental protection.
Criteria: Involvement must be by agency staff or commissioners (directors, chair) with no added
payment for public services rendered. Public service must be voluntary (not required by
regulation or law).
Public Information & Education Award (Three Categories)
Eligibility: Outstanding public information and education program or publication. Awards are
presented in each of the following categories: video, printed publication, and
education program.
Criteria: Program, publication, or video must be produced by agency staff or by an outside vendor at
the express direction of the agency. Program, publication, or video must cover some aspect
of the agency's operations, and must have been produced for general use or distribution.