The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s UW-Extension Lakes Program with the Clean Water Leader Award.

The award was presented to UWSP Lakes Program personnel at a ceremony in Madison last month. Former Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, Darrell Bazell, presented the award to UWSP�s Tamara Dudiak, Laura Felda, Mary Pardee, Robert Korth and Sally Marchel Handrich. In addition, emeritus professors of natural resources Byron Shaw and Lowell Klessig were recognized for their work on clean water issues over many years.

The award, part of a new recognition program within the EPA, recognized outstanding statewide leadership and accomplishments in water resources protection by UWSP�s Lakes Program over the past 30 years. Robert Korth, lake management extension specialist in the CNR, said, "To have the nation�s lead environmental agency recognize our program�s 30 years of work on behalf of Wisconsin�s waters is indeed an honor. However, we surely won�t rest on these laurels and will continue to be an active partner in protecting and improving Wisconsin�s waters for many years to come."

The event is one of many in the nation marking the 30^th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. Similar ceremonies were held the same day in Milwaukee and Spooner. Former Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day, also was recognized at the ceremony.

Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to meet the Clean Water Act�s interim goal of removing visible pollution from waters. Two years ago, Wisconsin was the first state to restore protection to wetlands stripped of protection by a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

-30-

tmiller/vc/EPA lakes program award