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KENNY C. GUINN Governor 
ALLEN BIAGGIAdministrator |
 
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The Wendell McCurry Excellence in Water Quality AwardPresented for the Year 2002 has been given to: The Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is pleased to announce that the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee is the 2002 recipient of the Wendell McCurry Excellence in Water Quality Award. About Wendell McCurry Wendell McCurry worked for NDEP for over 32 years. He passed away in January 2000. Wendell's life was dedicated to water and water quality and he truly can be called the father of Nevada's clean water efforts. He was a visionary in the field and was instrumental in the establishment of some of the first TMDLs in the country. He was a widely recognized expert on the topic and held a number of positions on national organizations. Wendell was also a good friend and a wonderful man. The Award was first given in 1999 to Wendell who at the time was ill with bone cancer. Past recipients have also included Kevin Piper and the Middle Carson River CRMP (2000) and Tom and Patsy Tomera and the Eureka Conservation District for their work on Pine Creek, a tributary of the Humboldt River (2001). This year's recipient, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Las Vegas Wash Coordination Committee has taken a leadership role in the restoration of the Las Vegas Wash and improving wildlife habitat, aesthetic values, public awareness of the importance of the Wash and, most importantly, water quality. Through their efforts, millions have been spent on the installation of control structures to reduce erosion and increase wetland acreage. This has also created  substantial habitat for wildlife especially avian species. The Committee has coordinated the efforts of local, state and federal governments to ensure common goals are achieved for the benefit of all.
A major effort of SNWA and the Committee has been to compile and consolidate water quality data into a common data base and make it available to regulatory agencies, the research community and the public. This effort, and others like it have heightened the awareness and importance of the Wash and Lake Mead and the need to maintain a high degree of water quality. The group has also been instrumental in coordinating Wash cleanup days which occur in the spring each year, the planting of vegetation and wetland plant communities and the eradication of invasive species such as Tamarisk and Tall Whitetop. A formal awards presentation will be held in Las Vegas in October. Allen Biaggi -- Administrator |
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