Press Releases

Contact: Public Relations Department
Suffolk County Water Authority
PO Box 37
Oakdale NY 11769
(631) 563-0296

August 23, 2006
SCWA Receives National Award and Recognition from EPA

Federal, State and local officials joined together today as the American Water Works Association awarded the national 2006 Exemplary Source Water Protection Award to the Suffolk County Water Authority. This prestigious national award recognizes the Water Authority’s ongoing work in drinking water protection, the Authority’s pivotal role in the creation of the Pine Barrens Act, and the ultimate protection of one of the largest groundwater recharge areas in the State. In addition, the Water Authority received national recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has cited the Water Authority’s work in source water protection as a national case study.

On hand to laud the Authority’s dedication to protecting groundwater resources was Elizabeth Corr, associate division director, Drinking Water Division, of the US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., and John Mirando, New York State Section Director of AWWA, who presented the 2006 Exemplary Source Water Protection Award to Suffolk County Water Authority Chairman Michael LoGrande.

Cited for his pivotal role in the creation of the Pine Barrens, Chairman LoGrande said, “People thought I was crazy to propose a tax to preserve land while running for office, but the proposition to use the ¼ cent for the protection of the Pine Barrens passed overwhelmingly with 83% of the vote; I got 48.6% of the vote and lost the election. But, protecting and preserving the Pine Barrens was the right thing to do.”

LoGrande said that Jim Tripp, a world-renowned environmentalist, deserved the credit for bringing this land “that needed to be protected for future generations” to his attention when he was county executive. This resulted in the Drinking Water Protection Program in 1987, which specifically put before the voters the importance of protecting their water supply for future generations.

In 1993, the SCWA, under the leadership of LoGrande, helped “broker” the Pine Barrens “planning mandate” by loaning the Water Authority’s watershed group, GIS expertise, and other technical assistance. He noted that the partnership continues to this day.

“Preservation of drinking water supply sources has taken on added importance nationally because of the continuing water quality challenges related to public health,” said Suffolk County Water Authority CEO Stephen Jones. “We celebrate, with this award, the future prospects for quality drinking water and the collaboration of so many people who helped make it happen.”

“We were proactive in protecting this very valuable resource,” said New York State Senator Ken LaValle. “We were very fortunate to be able to look into the future and do something proactive. Luckily, the time was right for a compromise and we were able come together.” Noting that at times the meetings to make the bill a reality were tough, Senator LaValle said he couldn’t have had better partner in Albany than New York State Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli.

“It was tough,” agreed Assemblyman DiNapoli. “However, the role the Suffolk County Water Authority played was pivotal. They should be lauded for excellence in every way, but especially for the way they manage their resources. Michael LoGrande took a personal role in this. He is truly a gentleman and a professional with the vision to keep the focus on this important issue and get the job done.” DiNapoli thanked all who helped, but pointed out Ray Corwin, executive director, Pine Barrens, for all the work the Commission has done over the years.

“This is what happens when environmental and development leaders come together. Thirteen years later and the process has sustained itself and we continue to benefit from all that hard work,” said Michael Deering, representing County Executive Steve Levy. He went on to say that the County Executive office plans to build on 1993 and the county commitment will be $1 billion by 2013.

Richard Amper, Executive Director, Long Island Pine Barrens Society said, “This award is really well deserved. Suffolk County residents have done an extraordinary thing by supporting land preservation through a small but significant tax and the Suffolk County Water Authority was at the center of the effort to protect this important resource. I can’t say enough.”