FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Capt. Bill Sheehan / Hugh Carola via the above
                Andrew Willner, NY/NJ Baykeeper at 732-291-0176
                Clifford G. Day, US Fish & Wildlife Service at 609-646-9310

Carlstadt – At a reception here on October 24, three environmental leaders were honored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and presented with Special Appreciation Awards for their work on behalf of Meadowlands conservation. According to their awards, each has made an "outstanding contribution to the mission of the Service." They are:

• Captain Bill Sheehan, the Hackensack Riverkeeper.
• Andrew Willner, the New York/New Jersey Baykeeper.
• Hugh M. Carola, Program Director for Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

The event took place at the Grasshopper Also Restaurant in Carlstadt following a daylong meeting between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Secaucus Crowne Plaza Hotel. "The purpose of our meeting was to map out strategy for the future preservation and management of wetlands habitat in the New Jersey Meadowlands," said Clifford G. Day, Director of the Service's New Jersey Field Office.

Also during the evening, Bob McDowell, Director of the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife was presented with the Director's Award in recognition of his many years of service. Mr. McDowell, who is retiring this year, has presided over the state's preservation and management of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in New Jersey.

Presenting the awards were Dr. Mamie A. Parker, the Northeast Regional Administrator of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Mr. Day. Referring to the awardees, Mr. Day said, "Their dedication has helped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service further its mission to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."

It was obvious from their reactions that none of the awardees expected the honors they received. "It has always been my pleasure to assist the Service whenever they have requested our help in gathering data about the Meadowlands," said Capt. Sheehan, "To be recognized for just doing my job is an unexpected honor."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the nation's primary agency for overseeing America's wildlife resources and habitats. The Service manages the 93 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge system which includes five Refuges in New Jersey. Currently, the New Jersey Field Office is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a feasibility study to determine the best ways to prioritize and acquire the remaining open space acres in the Meadowlands. Representative Steven R. Rothman (D-NJ9th) successfully provided the study's federal funding through his position on the House Appropriations Committee.

Founded in 1997 by Capt. Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper is the citizen-steward of the Hackensack River watershed. As such, the organization seeks the best "eco-logic" solutions to the problems unique to the region, most notably the protection and preservation of the remaining wetlands of the New Jersey Meadowlands. The organization recently opened its new outreach office at 231 Main Street in Hackensack.