For P2 to be successfully integrated into the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) regulatory activities, it is critical that we develop and implement a wide range of approaches to encourage, inform, and assist those we regulate in adopting P2 practices. Many good ideas have been developed by staff and are being implemented. The purpose of this awards program is to recognize individuals and teams in the DEQ responsible for those successes, and to encourage all staff to pursue additional approaches.
Description of the Award Program: Individuals or teams will be recognized for P2 integration accomplishments that began or occurred during the last three years. Winners receive an award, a personal letter of achievement, have their names engraved on a plaque placed in the DEQ Executive Offices, and are recognized during the annual DEQ Award Ceremony. Winning accomplishments are also announced in P2 Revue and the ESSD Bulletin, which can be viewed through the DEQ’s webpage. Any DEQ regulatory staff person or team can be nominated for this award, including supervisors, secretarial, and support staff. To be eligible for this award, a nominee or nominees must have proposed, demonstrated, advocated, or otherwise assisted with the adoption of P2 actions by a regulated business, institution, or municipality.
The award strives to recognize employees who showed initiative and imagination in developing and implementing approaches to advocate P2 through DEQ regulatory programs.
Selection Criteria: The award program utilizes a broad set of criteria to encourage nominations. The DEQ defines P2 as the "source reduction and environmentally sound on-site or off-site reuse or recycling." Examples of P2 regulatory integration include, among others: using regulatory documents such as permits, permit applications, licenses, or enforcement orders, including supplemental environmental projects (SEPs), to encourage voluntary P2; using the "teachable moment" during a plant inspection, survey, or other site visit to provide effective P2 materials or information; and effectively providing P2 strategies or outreach information as part of a compliance assistance effort.
Considerations for this award will include the extent to which the idea was innovative and creative, its potential to contribute to environmental improvement, its ability to aid in compliance or compliance assistance, its scope or range of impact, and whether it led to the adoption of a P2 practice at the facility.
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Nomination Process: Any DEQ employee can submit a nomination for an individual or a team. To make a nomination, fill out the attached Staff P2 Integration Award Form. Forms can also be obtained by calling the Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278. Be sure to describe the P2 integration activity and why it should be considered for recognition under this program.
Nominations should be sent to Maggie Fields, via either ID mail an attachment to email at fieldsm@michigan.gov or by fax to 517-241-3571. Nominations must be received on or before August 6. If you have questions regarding the program, please feel free to contact Maggie at 517-335-6250 or by email as listed above.
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2005 Winners:
Allison MacArthur-Ruesink, Water Bureau – Jackson District Office
For helping a meat processing facility revise their process that eliminated a salty discharge to the area creek.
Gene Suuppi, Water Bureau – Saginaw District Office
For promoting the use of a natural, non-toxic method (barley straw) to control pollutants in wastewater lagoons.
2004 Winners:
Nadine Deak, Waste & Hazardous Materials Division – Kalamazoo District Office
For helping three companies use P2 to reduce their toxics and solvents.
Julia Kirkwood, Water Division – Kalamazoo District Office
For promoting native landscaping as a means to reduce potable water usage.
Janice Heuer, Water Division – Cadillac District Office
For helping a facility convert to low phosphorous cleaners rather than construct treatment.
2003 Winners:
Brian Carley, Air Quality Division – Jackson District Office
For his long standing and consistent support of pollution prevention.
Brian Myers, Water Division – Cadillac District Office
For his long standing and consistent support of pollution prevention.
2002 Winners:
Teresa Kinder, Air Quality Division – Grand Rapids District Office
For helping a company transform from an enforcement case to a leader of several progressive environmental actions throughout their corporation.
Brian Brady, Air Quality Division – Marquette District Office
For helping area companies find alternatives uses rather than disposal of their wood chips, bottom and fly ash.
2001 Winners:
Ben Witkopp, Air Quality Division – Saginaw Bay District
Megan McMahon, Surface Water Quality Division – Shiawassee District
Team of: Elden Dickinson, Drinking Water & Radiological Division – Lansing and Karl Johnson, Drinking Water & Radiological Division – Grand Rapids District
These staff have gone beyond their regular duties to advocate P2 at establishments they regulate. They and each award nominee has encouraged the regulated community to “think outside the box” and seek new ways to reduce waste. These individuals used regulatory tools, outreach, “teachable moments”, written materials, and site visits to educate and encourage facilities in P2 concepts. Their creative efforts resulted in the adoption of P2 practices at a number of Michigan facilities. Our thanks go to all the nominees for their efforts and to those that took the time to write the nominations that made these awards possible.
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