Upcoming fishing rodeos
July 9, 2007Ray Fonseca
July 11, 2007July 31 is the deadline to submit nominees for the 2007 Gulf Guardian Award.
The state Department of Environmental Quality presents the award annually in partnership with the Gulf of Mexico program.
Citizens, companies and organization that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf and associated coastal water habitats healthy, beautiful and productive are eligible.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program created the Gulf Guardian honor in 2000. It was developed to recognize individuals and groups committed to making an environmental difference in the Gulf.
Each year, first-, second- and third-place awards are given in six categories: business, government, civic/non-profit, youth/education, partnerships and individuals.
The Gulf program was launched in 1988. It consists of local, state and federal government agencies, the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, university scientists and environmental and community leaders from five Gulf Coast states.
The program’s aim is to protect, restore and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in a way that is cooperative, non-regulatory and economically sustainable, state DEP public information officer Tiffany Dickerson said in a recent news release.
Entry forms for the 2007 Gulf Guardian Award are available on line at www.epa.gov/gmpo/gulfguard.html.
Completed forms can be e-mailed to gulf.guardian@epa.gov.
For assistance with the application process or for more information, call Diane Altsman with the Gulf of Mexico Program at (228) 688-7015 or Dugan Sabins with DEQ at (225) 219-3553.
