West Virginia University’s Environmental Health and Safety department was honored this year with an Environmental Excellence Award for the Municipal Stormwater category from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
Every year, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection hosts the Environmental Awards to recognize the accomplishments of state industries, municipalities, educators and community leaders who strive to protect the environment, work to be good corporate neighbors, and educate the state’s citizens.
“Environmental Health and Safety has been instrumental in creating a storm water management program using best practices and a proactive approach,” said Randy Hudak, Associate Vice President of Facilities and Services at WVU. “Specifically, Brian Lemme implemented a program that is functional, beneficial to the operation of the campus and buildings and is flexible. He is recognized as a local expert and works to develop solutions that are compliant, but meet the customer’s needs. The recognition by the WVDEP clearly makes a statement to the program’s success.”
Over the past year, Environmental Health and Safety has undertaken the task of mapping the campus storm sewer systems. This map will assist the department with routine field inspections of stormwater systems to eliminate any illicit discharges. The department also made amendments to the WVU design guidelines and construction standards to further improve the quality of runoff from post-construction sites using Low Impact Development techniques.
Environmental Health and Safety has made great strides in the design, development and implementation of the outreach and education portion of its stormwater program by displaying information during WVU functions. The department has also partnered with the WVU WECAN sustainability program to spread awareness about stormwater management during Earth Day and Campus Sustainability Awareness Week and has had both employees and students participate in events such as tree plantings and litter clean-ups to improve stormwater management.
“I am very proud of Lemme and thank him for his dedication and efforts in making WVU’s stormwater management program a model for the State of West Virginia,” said John Principe Director of Environmental Health and Safety at WVU.
“While it is great to be recognized for environmental excellence, our team’s mission is to excel in all aspects of safety and health and to protect people, property and the environment.”
For more information regarding WVU’s stormwater program and how you can get involved please visit http://ehs.wvu.edu/home/stormwater.
