Awards of Environmental Excellence

Award Categories

Environmental Achievement

Sue Harney

The Environmental Achievement Award is IECA's premier award. It recognizes an outstanding erosion and sediment control project, program or system that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection. IECA names Sue Harney, with the Jelke Creek Restoration Project, winner of the 2012 Environmental Achievement Award. Harney was involved with the Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary Restoration Project, which was the culmination of a decade-long process transforming an abandoned gravel pit into an environmental and recreational showcase for Dundee Township located in Kane County, Illinois. Its mission was to increase ground water infiltration; stop sediment, pollutants, and storm water from flowing into Jelke Creek and Fox River watersheds; provide passive recreation; and create a rich habitat using native vegetation. Approximately 150 acres of the 240-acre site was reconstructed into two native prairies, wetlands, ponds and public trails. The project created 18 acres of wetlands, 4 ponds, 10 fishing overlooks and over 110 acres of native prairieland. Over 5,000 LF of terraced ponds, 3,500 LF of bio-swales and 4 stepped ponds promote infiltration, impound rainfall and carry remaining surface flow from an 800-foot elevation to a 740-foot elevation less than half a mile of distance. The site now helps to control and contain rainwater. Rock checks, vegetated swales and prairie vegetation control erosion on steep slopes. Over 3 miles of walking trails have also been constructed.

Contractor of the Year

Ben West

The Contractor of the Year Award recognizes a contractor who has achieved outstanding accomplishments through single or multiple projects or for the development of new practices. IECA announces Ben West and the Denver Transit Construction Group recipients of the 2012 Contractor of the Year Award. Denver Transit Construction Group (DTCG) was the Construction Manager on the RTD FasTracks West Rail Line Project. This project consisted of a 12-mile, 600-acre light rail corridor. During the production phase, the West Rail Line was the largest construction project in Colorado, spanning 12.1 miles through 3 municipalities. The rail corridor includes 16 bridges over state-owned water and federally protected wetlands, 2 tunnels, 7 concrete box culverts, 15,000 feet of sanitary sewer and water lines and detention ponds designed to contain the precipitation from 100-year storm events. To ensure the least possible risk of environmental impacts, DTCG used the techniques of planning, historical flow monitoring, and selection of cost-effective pump and pipe choices. To successfully accomplish stormwater management and erosion control requirements, it was critical to educate and encourage field forces through monthly training classes.

Technical Paper

Stephen H. Peck, PE, Paul Wisheropp, PE and Andrea Manha, PE

Stephen H. Peck, PE,
Paul Wisheropp, PE
and Andrea Manha, P

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has announced that "Modeling Sediment BMP's in Sensitive Areas" has been named the winner of the Most Distinguished Technical Paper Award for Environmental Connection 2013. This award honors the presenters who have demonstrated excellence within the content of their Environmental Connection technical presentation. The paper was submitted by Stephen H. Peck, PE, Paul Wisheropp, PE and Andrea Manha, PE.

Presenter of the Year for 2012

Barry Fagan, PE/PLS, CPESC

Barry Fagan, PE/PLS,
CPESC

Barry Fagan, PE/PLS, CPESC, was awarded with the Presenter of the Year Award for his course The Five Pillars of Construction Site Stormwater Management at Environmental Connection 2011 in Orlando, FL. Fagan is the Environmental Compliance Engineer for the Alabama Department of Transportation. He is responsible for creating, coordinating and communicating ALDOT policies and goals to those internal and external to ALDOT. Barry has over 20 years of road and bridge construction experience. He is licensed in Alabama as a Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor and is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control. Fagan is an active member of the Alabama Erosion and Sediment Control Program Steering Committee and the AASHTO Stormwater Community of Practice.