Video: Watershed documentary recognized with Governor's Award

• Allen County Partnership for Water Quality, WFWA PBS Channel 39, and City of Fort Wayne share Governor's award for documentary

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, Oct. 1, 2008 -- Ray Steup, WFWA PBS Channel 39 producer, Matt Jones, Allen County Partnership for Water Quality program manager, along with the City of Fort Wayne received a crystal trophy for achievements in the category of "Education and Outreach" during the Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence ceremony. The award was presented during the Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management District's 16th annual conference held at The Marten House Hotel and Lilly Conference Center in Indianapolis today.

Steup and Jones produced the 30-minute documentary "A Watershed Mentality." The program, which was a PBS Education Program, brought to light the problems of sedimentation and erosion in the Maumee River Basin. The Maumee River, which is the single largest tributary and watershed in the Great Lakes, deposits millions of cubic yards of sediment into Lake Erie yearly. The documentary, while focuses on one particular watershed, emphasizes an issue that plagues many of the tributaries in the Great Lakes area, as well as waterways in the eastern United States.

Click on the image to access the video. Scroll down the right-hand menu and select 'A Watershed Mentality.'The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence are open to all Indiana facilities, government agencies, individuals, and other groups that implement exemplary environmental projects with measurable results. The awards recognize Indiana's leaders who have implemented outstanding environmental strategies into their operations and decision-making processes. By seeking out and utilizing innovative environmental practices, these facilities and programs have reduced waste, saved money and contributed greatly to Indiana's environmental protection efforts, benefiting the health and welfare of the state's communities and the state as a whole.

"Ray Steup, Matt Jones and the City of Fort Wayne deserve this recognition for creating and implementing an innovative project that can be admired by the entire community," said Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "Their contribution toward protecting Indiana's environment is a standard that we should all strive to follow."

The Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting local communities throughout Indiana implement progressive integrated solid waste management programs. The Association works to promote the programs and interests of Indiana's 65 Solid Waste Management Districts and their associates.

IDEM implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

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