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Illinois PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS: These are all to be on Excellence Awards Certificates OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL Kim Baker Mary Rudzinski Jean Brizzolara Thomas Sheahan Don Brennan Robert Skiles Todd Gray Drake Shepard Alan Hubble, James Schmitt Robert James Sally Tapio Margaret Johnson Steven Thudium Laura Kazawitch Wayne Toberman Randy Klein Deborah Volkland Barbara Langer Curt Wagner Alan Lemke William Weigil James Massura Ann Williams Matt McDonald Jerry Williams Gerald Michael Richard Witte Katie Pozorski Donald Zoltan Robert Pruitt Nancy Stockholm Michael Rains John Rudzinski Michael Reichenbach Edward C. Radatz - school Barbara Rice sponsor Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum FiLE PEMAP August 30, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR ELISKA HASEK FROM: Richard M. Fairbanks Attached is a draft Presidential Statement and a self- explanatory covering memo from EPA requesting a Presidential boost for the next mailing to stimulate the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. This program could give us a real plus on an important issue to youth, and was mentioned as the President's major initiative in environmental education in the Republican Platform. Could you please comply with EPA's request? Attachments Let: et Howard Cohen - w/attachments Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 August 29, 1972 Mr. Richard Fairbanks Executive Office Building White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. Fairbanks: The 1972-73 material for the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program will be ready for mailing this week. I am sending you a complete kit and hope you will be pleased. You recall that during this school year we will be mailing three bulletins to the schools that enter - October, January and March. In assembling material for the first of these, I would like to include a couple of paragraphs from President Nixon commending the students for past efforts and encouraging future participation. Enclosed is a tentative draft of what might be suitable, for your consideration. Our mailing date will be October 15, 1972, our printing deadline is September 15, 1972. We hope this idea meets with your approval and that you will help us expedite it within the time frame. With appreciation and best wishes, Sincerely, Iladys O'Domell Gladys O'Donnell (Mrs. J. Lloyd) National Coordinator President's Environmental Merit Awards Program Enclosure Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum A suggested message from President Nixon to American Youth To: Young America From: Richard Nixon Last year, responding to thousands of letters from young people who wrote requesting information on environmental pro- blems and asking how they could help, we initiated the Pres- ident's Environmental Merit Awards Program. It was designed to encourage and recognize, at the national level, the dedicated efforts of youth to restore, preserve and protect our living environment. Response was spontaneous and enthusiastic. Projects undertaken by individuals, by classes, entire schools, and often by the collective effort of a group of schools, were remarkable in concept and achievement. Over five thousand Awards of Merit and Excellence were presented. This year the program is expanded to include elementary and junior high schools, youth groups and summer camps. We expect a quantum jump in enrollment and welcome all. As we greet these new candidates for awards, we salute those who took part last year and encourage them to continue their fine work. Our best wishes are extended as we advance together in the fine spirit of the program's theme - Life Pass It On. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum July 11, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: CHARLES W. colson FROM: HOWARD A. COHEN SUBJECT: Status of President's Environmental Merit Awards Program (PEMAP) HISTORY: -- The President's Environmental Merit Awards Program was created by Executive Order on October 25, 1971. -- Informational brochures were mailed to 25,000 high schools in November concerning the program. Of these 25, 000, 2, 800 responses were received. -- The first bulletin from the Environmental Protection Agency was transmitted to enrolled high schools early in January, 1972. -- Responding to the obvious lack of participation, William D. Ruckelshaus expanded PEMAP to include summer camps as of March 10, 1972. -- The first Merit Awards were presented at a White House ceremony by Ms. Julie Nixon Eisenhower on April 19, 1972, (remarks attached). At that time, it was announced that the program was again expanding to include not only high schools and summer camps, but also junior highs and elementary schools (Tab A). The President also established a 13 member Advisory Committee on the Environmental Merit Awards Program on April 19, 1972, (Tab B). -- On April 26, your office coordinated a mailing with EPA (Tab I), which, if accomplished in a timely fashion, might have stimulated awareness of both PEMAP and also this Administration's environmental actions. The mailing was not sent until June 21. The materials were directed to 2, 700 schools, 1, 942 campus press, and 605 campus radio stations, but were 8 weeks later than the PEMAP ceremony. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -2- -- In May and June, 1972, 4,600 awards of merit and excellence were presented to students and schoold. Total enrollment last semester was 2, 900 high schools (Tab C). To date, 355 summer camps have enrolled. PROBLEM: The media coverage of PEMAP since its conception in October has been relatively sparse (Tab D). Poor media management and planning are possible reasons why visibility of this worthy program was minimal. SUGGESTED REMEDIES: Reportedly, 115, 000 high, junior high, and elementary schools will be enrolled in 1973 in addition to 11,000 summer camps. To adequately plan awards ceremonies, media coverage and managing staff, the PEMAP has prepared a timetable (Tab E) for both summer camp activé ties (Tab F) and next years school program (Tab G). Requested, of course, is an increased budget and more staff (Tab H). Initially, President Nixon's signature did not appear on the PEMAP awards. To direct attention to the President's personal involvement with this program, the awards are now personally signed by the President. Public awareness of environmental action could be stimulated by the presentation of a certificate and picture of RN to each school which participates in PEMAP. These suitable-for-framing certificates would remind the pupils, teachers, and parents of the President's involvement with the environmental cause. Because PEMAP received dittle press coverage, few of the target participants are aware of the expansion of the Merit Awards Pregram. Prior to the opening of school, possibly in the latter part of August, a press release should remind the public of our statistical accomplishments, the program's expansion, and the President's legislative initiatives. Public visibility of the President's concern for the environment is a vital part of the public's perception of the President, particularly among young people and relatively affluent suburbanites. PEMAP, if effectively and efficiently operated, could and should help provide that visibility. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON 7/19 TO: Howard Cohen FROM: Richard M. Fairbanks Call Ginger Saver & Coordinate with her. He Can't be a national representative but he Could no donet do things in and around SF Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 333-4570 Collowie May 8, 1972 vot FOR THE PRESIDENT MEMORANDUM FOR: HOWARD COHEN FROM: KEN SMITH Dr SUBJECT: : Environmental Awards Program We would like to see Tom Campbell, disk jockey on station KLOK in San Francisco, be put on the President's Environmental Awards Program as one of the endorsers. He is more than willing to actively participate in the program and we would very much like to see him put aboard. Please advise. cc: Ken Rietz Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESERVATION COPY THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON soine to HAC to talk to Furbaules , shome feed these names into Reate at #noi? OK fine me OK with the Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum 4/14/72 names Calif. PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS: These are all to be on Excellence Awards Certificates Long Beach Unified School Program (5 high schools) JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL Carol Blumberg Paula Goodman Tom Kasser Ouida Halby Vance Shaw Nancy Kerr Rick arbati Ronald Magsaysay Janet Jones Gregory Millema Nancy Butterworth Mark Mulholland Jenny Miller Robert Simeone Kathy Coats Leslie Watts Lisa Carieri Jeffrey Kellogg John Moutram Dexter Williams Cheryl McMillan Guy Megliola Victor Arce Jamie Silvers JEFFREY Jeff Bentley Judy Soty Debbie Bonesteel Wally Wiggam Cindi Bullock Cindy Gardner Janis Cantwell Phil Tukua Leona Carpenter Lynette Jenkins Carol Flynn Susan Chelius Marshall Frick Michael Lister Kathy Williams MORE Beth Lehne Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum (2) Jordan High School (continued) Debbie Sanders Evans Williams Chuck Corcoran Paula Goodman Linda Bennett Bob Murphy Tim Aycock Domenic Saraceno Steve Boss Richard Leach Charles Collins Larry Kogut James Daniels Frank Palmer Dan Dunn Dennis Summers Bruce Frambach Phillip Peek Don Frambach Steve Beckman Roger Feenstra Mike Plant Tim Inlow Jim Whipple Dan Jordan Bill Hartman Guy Jiminez Gary Earl Chris Paulsen Steve McCoy Walt Sawall Dave Fisher Bob Schaff John Smith Robert Simeone Steve Snedeker David Streetz Mark Sorensen Don Streetz Ron Beere John Townsend Robert Morgan Dexter Williams Chris Hamilton MORE Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum (3) Jordan High School (continued) Michael Adams Ronald Ford Brian Berry Janice Foss Tina Brancatelli Eugene Fox James L. Dorsey Larry Gittleman Ann M. Doty Dena Graffis Elizabeth Lehne Gary Hooper Brad MattKews Laurie Kedinzer Kathy McLatyre Cheryl Kramer David Sandbrook Teresa Kuhn Merry Beth Scharfe Patrick LeBlanc Cheryl A. Scott Teresa Leech Dan Seeky Eddie Meneses Gail L. Spurrier Victoria Stark Daniel Toohill Steve West Jim Richards Frank Zeigie Susan Edelbrock Kelly Butler Harold Anderson Sherry Emberton John Robinson Jim Butler Bill Devary Kathy Schwarz Robert Bennett Mike Marin Cathy Clark Bill Wilkinson Sheila Crabtree Edward Minard Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENTS'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS (continued) Long Beach Unified School Program page 4 LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Marine Hardenbrook Jeff Schiller Esther Cistone Judy Piercy Mark Ritz Cheryl Piercy Mary Wickman Jennifer Morris Linda Dolan Bonnie McBride Tom Forbes Daley Kunkel Norm Vaughn Joe Geesman Cheryl Poss Aleck Edwards David Fruechting Marilyn Roseman Marji Charlop Robert Bush Beth David Pattie Dole Jeff Summers Mark Hutchinson Jackie Stark Bob Hyer Bruce Lundquist Sheryl Maxson Kim Porrazzo Bob Peters Janet Lederer Gary Weiss Janice Darr More Cynthia Jones Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS (continued) Long Beach Unified School Program page 5 MILLIKAN HIGH SCHOOL Judy Rapport Dan Mandell Keith Curry TOM Tom Laing Peggy Quigley Dave Swift Robbin Britt Gary Napper Cheryl Wullschleger Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS (continued) Long Beach Unified School Program page 6 POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL John Adler June Ida Teri Arihara Susanne Ishimini Shawn Ashley Kathy Kinnoin Elizabeth Bell Bonnie Lancaster Toni Bernstein Bruce Linsley David Boyer Cheryl Loftis Chris Campbell Larry Love Teri Kline James Matthews Linda LeLange Bill Martin Jeanne DeNoyelles Oscar Meza Diane Desfor Steve Mills Danny Dodd Mike Moore Connie Durr Debbie Moreno Toni Forde John Mungo Barbara Garcia Pia Narita Lorraine Griego Muriel Peasley Frank Hays Sharon Pittman Tony Hill Elaine Pope Wendy Hogan Mike Ramsay Marcia Horn Mark Resnick Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum More PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS (continued) Long Beach Unified School Program page 7 POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL (continued) Mike Robinson John Rhynerson Barbara Schilling Julie, Scholar Richard Simms Lin Takeuchi Sherry Tanaka Joan Tobin Nancy Wallace Cedric Watkins Roberta Wilkinson Jerry Wright Aya Ushiroji Allen VerSteeg SHERRY E. SWAN (school sponsor) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS (continued) Long Beach Unified School Program page 8 WILSON HIGH SCHOOL Sue Lowe Patty Ruppelt Kathy Bowman Pam Snow Penny Wilson Michele Severean Pam Kellum Martha Swatik Lorie Burkhardt Rosalind Valdivia Carolyn Baker Sandy Santa Cruz Joanne Baker Sara McCook Ann Began Pat Devoy Dana Teele Ann Schmeckiath Pam Britton Kathy Walls Lisa Engelbreiht Janet Lawhead Kay Herrington Randy Liken Beth Hoppe Cindy Morales Lucy Magean Ann Olson Colleen O'Toole Janis Roberts Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Pennsylvania PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS: These are all to be on Excellence Awards Certificate STUDENT NAMES: Jeffrey L. Lash Vickie L. Kearns William C. Lash Rodger L. Miller Allen A. Fultz Jerry E. Auker Judy A. Brower Edwin D. Miller Thomas E. Marker Dorothy A. Kline Terry R. Arbogast Allen M. Frankhouser Roger J. Manbeck Allen F. Myers Randall L. Wright Sidney B. Yoder Timothy W. Goss MORE Timothy D. Marker Doreen K. Wray Ronald J. Rhodes James H. Brought Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS: Juniata-Mifflin Counties (Pennsylvania) page 2 ADULTS: Richard Owens Clyde W. Krepps Edward G. Mann Frank A. Bonson Roy Mountz Terry L. Rogers James Reilly Elvin G. Summers James E. Harpster Darvin J. Yoder, Jr. Jesse L. Council Bruce L. Witmer OTHER AWARDS: Big Valley FFA Chapter Mifflin County Soil and Water Conservation District Juniata - Mifflin Counties Area Vocational Technical School Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Texas PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM FIRST AWARDS: These are all to be on Excellence Awards Certificates Fort Worth United High School Council (21 high schools and 22 junior high schools: total 43) HIGH SCHOOLS Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School Nolan " 11 North Side " 11 Amon Carter-Riverside 11 11 O. D. Wyatt 11 11 Paschal " 11 Lamar 11 11 Arlington Heights 11 " Western Hills 11 11 Trimble Technical 11 11 Trinity 11 11 Southwest 11 11 Castleberry " 11 Eastern Hills 11 " Polytechnic " 11 Dunbar " 11 Terrell 11 11 More Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum page 2 Fort Worth High Schools (continued) Fort Worth Christian High School Haltom 11 11 Burleson " 11 Richland Hills " 11 MIDDLE SINTOR HIGH SCHOOLS: Middle Stripling Juniar Iligh School Daggett 11 11 11 Handley " 11 " Euless 11 " " Hutcheson " 11 " Monnig 11 11 11 Riverside 11 11 11 Meadowbrook 11 11 " Rosemont " " 11 Mansfield " 11 " McLean 11 " 11 Hurst " 11 11 Bailey 11 " " Central 11 11 11 Bedford 11 11 11 Hug " il 11 MORE Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - -3- Middle Fort Worth SuniskxHigh Schools (continued) Elder Middle School Morningside 11 " Wedgewood 11 11 11 Watauga 11 " " Forest Oak 11 11 11 Leonard " 11 11 Coming to Washington to represent the school: Dian S. Korman Dan Goldstein Frank J. Laux Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROTECTION AGENCY Draft sent our to DRAFT APeters/ddh White House 4-14-72 4/14/72 755-2760 EMBARGOED UNTIL 10:30 A.M. APRIL 19, 1972 In a special ceremony this morning in the Oval Room at the White House, President Nixon (represented by Mrs. Julie N. Eisenhower) honored the constructive environmental activities of youth across the nation. Students and faculty advisors from four schools repre- sentative of the nation were presented with certificates for the President's Special Award for Environmental Excellence. The students' projects were selected from among numerous awards applications, representing all areas of the nation and reflecting a wide array of projects. In Long Beach, California, the student councils of five high schools banded together to establish programs ranging from tree planting and recycling to teaching ecology at ele- mentary schools. Similarly, Oak Park-River Forest High School in Illinois developed a wide ranging program involving community awareness and promotion of environmental legislation. (more) CONCURRENCES SYMBOL SURNAME DATE EPA FORM 1320-1 OFFICIAL FILE COPY Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -2- In Texas, the Fort Worth United High School Council working with radio station KFJZ conducted an interschool recycling contest and used the proceeds to plant trees and provide an irrigation system for them. The program saved 19,932 trees. The Juniata-Mifflin School in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, developed a soil conservation and beautifica- tion program which provided a low cost tree planting program for Union County. Over 2,750 trees were planted as a result. Student and their adult sponsors accepting the awards for the projects were: Miss Elizabeth Bell, Mr. Jeffrey Bentley, and Miss Sherry E. Swank of Long Beach; Mr. Frank J. Laux, Mr. Dan Goldstein, and Miss Dian S. Korman of Fort Worth; Miss Dorothy A. Kline, Mr. William C. Lash and Mr. Bruce L. Witmer of Lewistown; and Miss Nancy Stockholm, Mr. John Rudzinski and Mr. Edward C. Radatz of Oak Park. During the ceremony, the President (or Mrs. Eisenhower as appropriate) also announced that he had established a special Advisory Committee for the awards program. This committee, composed of well-known and concerned citizens, will aid the President and the Environmental Protection Agency in making awards nation-wide and will, where possible, make personal appearances. Mrs. Julie N. Eisenhower was named honorary chairman. (more) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -3- Mr. Nixon (or Mrs. Eisenhower) further announced that because of the great interest and enthusiastic response the awards program, it will be expanded to include junior high and elementary schools this fall. Formerly it was open only to high school age youth in schools and summer caps programs All ages participating in summer camp programs will be eligible immediately under the previous arrangement made for summer camps. To date, the Environmental Protection Agency has received applications for awards from approximately 50 schools. Of these, 4 schools were chosen to receive the symbolic first awards at the first awards ceremony in Washington during Earth Week. These schools are representative of the North, South, East and West sections of the United States. Ten more symbolic first awards will be given on the regional level within the next two weeks. The awards program, with the theme "Life -- Pass It on" was established by President Nixon in October of last year to recognize responsible and constructive ectivities of youth in improving the quality of life and environment. #### Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460 MODEL PRESS RELEASE Sent to (MODIFY AS DESIRED) Regional offices FOR RELEASE PRESIDENT HONORS YOUTH on behalf of President Nixon, today presented awards to participants in environmental projects. Presented in a ceremony at The awards were made to projects in (LIST OF SCHOOLS & LOCATIONS). These schools are among the first fifty awards made nationally under the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. The pro- gram, with the theme "Life --- Pass It On" was established by President Nixcn to recognize responsible youth activity toward im- proving the quality of life and environment. As a result of the enthusiastic response at the high school level and of many requests, the program was expanded on March 10, 1972 to include summer camping programs. A further expansion of the program to include elementary and junior high schools was announced by President Nixon last Wednesday at the White House cere- monies honoring representatives of the first awards groups. By participating in this program, high school age youth and persons working with them can earn one of two awards issued by authority of the President. Recipients of awards are determined by local awards panels within participating high schools or coalitions of schools. Panels made up of faculty, student and community representatives determine which of two award levels projects earn. The Merit Award is given to students who participate in constructive and responsible environmental projects in areas ranging from educational achievement to involvement in governmental processes. The President's Special Award for Environmental Excellence is given to projects which result (more) EPA Form 1510-1 (6-71) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -2- in significant environmental improvements. The awards made today are representative of the fine projects being conducted by young people nation-wide. Topics covered by the projects were . Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION I KEN CROTTY 1. Awards to be given next week 2. Certificates mailed air mail special 3. Special materials Magnafaxed per request 4. Congressional offices notified 5. Schools and Awards to be given are: a. Habitat High School, Belmont, Mass. 9 Excellence Awards given for a study on "Effects of De-Icing Salts on the Environment" resulting in distribution of 500 copies and publication of extracts in an environmental newsletter with a circulation of 60,000. Also has been brought to attention of local and state legislative people. b. Killingly High School, Danielson, Conn. 1 Excellence Award for an individual study of an Ecosystem in Connecticut. (Note: This will be used without identi- fication as one of the projects which should not have been given excellence awards under our criteria) No significant external impact of the project was noted. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION II BOB JACOBSON 1. Awards made 4/25/72 by Mr. Ruckelshaus 2. Representatives from all award winning projects at ceremonies 3. Congressional offices notified 4. Schools and awards given are: a. Audubon Society, Onandaga Chapter and local schools of Syracuse, New York 200 Excellence Awards given for coalition of students participating in Earth Week "Walkathon" in local natural areas. Proceeds from project to be used for purchase of "open areas" for public use. b. John F. Kennedy High School, Somers, N. Y. 20 Excellence Awards given for project on recycling of aluminum and glass. This is a continuing program, but is also a project which is questionable as to its rating of excellence. This one also will be used in refining our criterion guidance to schools. C. Levittown Memorial High School, Levittown, N.Y. 31 Merit Awards given to Ecology Class for ecology experiments. Student worked individually and prepared reports for in-school use. This is a fine example of a merit award project. d. Dwight Morrow High School, Engelwood, New Jersey 1 Excellence Award given to school for supporting a broad spectrum student program for environmental activity. Individual Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION II (continued) projects will be submitted separately and evaluated as to their impact. Includes in-school and community project elements. e. St. Joseph High School, Hammonton, New Jersey 67 Excellence Awards made for two project areas - Ecology Club and classroom. Again, the impact on the environment is not clear and future guidance will be given. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION III MARK SILVERMAN 1. Awards to be given next week 2. Certificates mailed special delivery 3. Congressional offices notified 4. Schools and awards to be given are: a. Halifax Area High School, Halifax, Pa. 50 Excellence Awards given for a program to improve wildlife management in the local area with particular emphasis on fish management in Powell Creek. Covers the entire range of planning, preservation control and restoration defined in the guidance brochure. This was a club project. b. Moniteau Junior-Senior High School, West Sunbury, Pa 3 Excellence and 2 Merit Awards given in connection with a poster contest. Awards were allowed to go through like this only because student had already been told they would receive them by local panel. In future only merit awards will be given for such projects. c. Williams Valley High School, Reinerton, Pa. 16 Merit Awards given for a class project of testing and cleaning a local creek. The project is a continuing one and shows potential for becoming an Excellence Award project. d. Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School Arlington, Va. 25 Merit Awards given for project involving participation in Environmental Fair, Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION III (Continued) conducting surveys and preparation of Graphics, including movies. This is a continuing project which shows potential for Excellence Awards. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION IV HAGAN THOMSON 1. Awards to be given 9:00 Thursday, April 26, 1972 2. Certificates sent air mail special to school contact 3. This is a ghetto school, roughly 50% black. Has won several other awards for ongoing environmental work. 4. Congressional offices notified 5. School and awards to be given is: Hume-Fogg Technical Vocational High School Nashville, Tenn. 36 Merit Awards given for involvement of entire student body in a project to improve the school environment. Incorporated speakers, contests and experiments. Won first place in Nashville competition of the Medical Auxiliary Assn. and third place in state- wide competition. Beyong this, the project did not have any significant environmental impact beyond school. However, this effort is a fine example of a merit level project. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 19, 1972 Office of the White House Press Secretary THE WHITE HOUSE The President today announced the appointment of thirteen persons to be members of the President's Advisory Committee on the Environmental Merit Awards Program which is being created by Executive Order signed today. Members include: Mary Belle Bloch, 24, of Louisville, Kentucky, Graduate Student, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Miss Bloch has been designated as Chairman of the Committee. Karen Dreifort DuMont, 27, of New York City, Executive Director, Environmental Action, New York, New York. Lester John Fischer, 19, of Pascagóula, Mississippi, Junior, Mississippi Gulf Coast College, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Clark Graebner, 28, of New York City, Tennis Star and Assistant to the President, Hobson Miller Paper Company, Inc., New York, New York. Lance King, 19, of banta Cruz, California, Sophomore, University of California, Santa Cruz, California. Marlin McKeever, 32, of Corona Del Mar, California, Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams, Corona Del Mar, California. James Larry Parker, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia, Junior, Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia. Donald Schollander, 25, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Olympic Swimmer, Lake Oswego, Oregon. Jody Smith, 19, Mayor of Ayrshire, Iowa. Fredrick Snowden, 36, of Detroit, Michigan, Head Basketball Coach, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. Bart Starr, 38, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Roger Staubach, 30, of Richardson, Texas, Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas, Texas. Esther Stroy, 18, of the District of Columbia, Olympic Sprinter, Washington, D.C. The Committee is established for the purpose of advising the President on ways in which the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program, which was established on October 31, 1971, can be expanded and the accomplishments of individuals and groups recognized. The Committee shall also select individuals or groups who deserve special recognition for accomplishments in the environmental area and confer appropriate Environmental Merit Awards on behalf of the President. # # # Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 1972 Office of the White House Press Secretary THE WHITE HOUSE EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM On October 31, 1971, I announced the establishment of the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commissioner of Education sent letters to high school prin-- cipals inviting them to participate in this program by establishing local tripartite committees to supervise and direct local Environmental Merit Awards Programs and to make awards to individual students or groups of students for significant environmental accomplishments by them. These committees were to be composed of students, faculty and interested members of the community. Today, more than 2,500 high schools, including schools in each of the 50 States, are actively involved in this program. In view of this encouraging response, I have concluded that I should establish a national committee to advise me of ways in which this program can be further expanded and enhanced and of other ways in which the environmental accomplishments of individuals and groups may be appropriately recognized. NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. (a) There is hereby established the President's Advisory Committee on the Environmental Merit Awards Program. The Committee shall be composed of a Chair- man, to be designated by the President, and such members as the President may, from time to time, appoint. (b) The Committee shall advise the President and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on ways in which the Environmental Merit Awards Program can be expanded and enhanced. The Committee shall select individuals or groups of individuals who deserve special recognition for their local environmental accomplishments and confer appropriate Environmental Merit Awards upon them on behalf of the President. The Committee shall perform such other related functions as the President may, from time to time, specify. Section 2. No member of the Committee shall receive compensation from the United States by reason of service as a member of the Committee but such members may be allowed such travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsis- tence, as may be authorized by law. Section 3. The Environmental Protection Agency shall provide, to the extent permitted by law, administrative support for the Committee and the Environmental Merit Awards Program. RICHARD NIXON THE WHITE HOUSE, April 19, 1972. ### Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESERVATION COPY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 19, 1972 OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY THE WHITE HOUSE REMARKS OF WILLIAM D. RUCKELSHAUS, ADMINISTRATOR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND JULIE NIXON EISENHOWER AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE FIRST CERTIFICATES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE THE ROSE GARDEN AT 10:01 A.M. EST. MR. RUCKELSHAUS: Good morning. I am Bill Ruckelshaus, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and we are very pleased today to announce the first awards under the President's Environmental Merits Award Program. I think it is particularly fitting that these awards would be presented here in this beautiful setting here in the Rose Garden. As all of you know, just two years ago this week, the first Earth Week was inaugurated in this country, and this year the President has announced this week as National Earth Week. Recognizing the tremendous interest that young people of this country have had in environmental improvement, the President last October, announced the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. In that program, students all over the country have been participating and trying to develop projects that would merit the kind of award that these students are being presented today. The program itself has been enormously successful. We now have some 2,600 high schools all over the country participating. The awards today will be given to students from across the country, from Pennsylvania, from Illinois, Texas and California. And this really is just the first wave of participation in award-giving of these students, and we expect in the months and years to come that there will be many more just like it. I think that we are particularly honored to have the President's daughter today to participate and give these first awards. She herself has shown a good deal of interest and enthusiasm, as has youth all over this country, in the environment. Just a few months ago, we were in North Carolina dedicating one of the National Environmental Research Centers, and Julie Eisenhower participated in that. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESERVATION COPY - 2 - Without any further ado, I would like to introduce Julie Eisenhower, who will present the awards. MRS. EISENHOWER: I think that it is fair to say that in many cases youth leads the way in our nation today, and I think particularly in the field of the environment that youth has led the way and set the tone for the entire nation. The Nixon Administration is committed to a program of earth renewal, and I believe we see its commitment in the great success and vigorous activity of the Environmental Protection Agency and Bill Ruckelshaus, who is here with us this morning. My father wants to enlist the efforts of all Americans in the field of the environment and one way that he thought he could recognize the efforts of young Americans and encourage their efforts was through the Presidential Environmental Awards Program. I have two exciting announcements today. The program has been so successful that it is now being extended to junior high and elementary schools. I think that is very fine and I am glad that the response has been so good. Then the second announcements is that there is now an Advisory Committee of Concerned Citizens, who will be helping my father to present the awards and to encourage participation through the nation. I would like now to present the awards individually to our representatives from the East, North, South and West of the Nation. First, from Oak Park, Illinois, Nancy Stockholm and John Rudzinski, and their Excellence award was for environmental education. And we have to give credit to the school, which is Oak Park-River Forest High School. Then, from Fort Worth, Texas, Frank Laux and Red" Goldstein, an Excellence award for their successful paper collection and recycling project. And from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Dorothy Kline and William Lash. Congratulations for your country-wide, low- cost tree planting project. 20,000 trees, that is terrific. And last, from Long Beach, California, Elizabeth Bell and Jeffrey Bentley. Congratulations for tree planting and environmental education, and also a recycling project. This project involved five Long Beach schools and they saved 19,000 trees. That is wonderful. The motto of the Environmental Merit Awards program is "Life Pass It On," and I just want to add that I am personally very honored to be able to present these awards, because you all are really passing on life, and you are living up to the motto. Congratulations. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460 Hoffmann (202) 755-2770 Deister (202) 755-2770 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1972 EPA ASKS COURT ACTION TO STOP POLLUTION OF LAKE SUPERIOR William D. Ruckelshaus, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, today asked the Department of Justice to file suit against the Reserve Mining Company to halt pollution of Lake Superior by Reserve's ore processing plant at Silver Bay, Minnesota. In a letter to Attorney General John N. Mitchell, Ruckelshaus said that Reserve's daily discharge of 67,000 tons of taconite tailings "endangers a unique natural resource". The volume put into the Lake by the company is many times greater than the total volume of material carried into the Lake by its tributaries, he added. The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator requested the Department of Justice to institute legal action requesting a federal district court to set "a schedule of time within which the company must terminate the pollution." Ruckelshaus added that a notice had been issued to Reserve on April 28, 1971, calling formal attention to its violation of water quality standards, and that in an effort to reach an amicable solution, EPA had employed the consulting firm of Roy F. Weston, Inc., of West Chester, Pennsylvania, to determine the feasibility of alternative methods of total and partial on-land disposal. Weston, after extensive investigation, reported five alternative plans, all of which were rejected by Reserve Mining Company, leading to the present impasse. The EPA Administrator said that Reserve raised many objections to each of the plans, and that this could have led to "endless discussions and technical arguments, with little possibility of a fruitful conclusion." Ruckelshaus said, "My responsibility is to protect the environment, and I intend to discharge that responsibility as expeditiously as possible.' He further said, "I have concluded with regret that our dispute cannot be resolved without the assistance of the court, and for that reason I have on this date forwarded the matter to the Depart- ment of Justice for appropriate legal action." Ruckelshaus noted that the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan have frequently expressed a continuing concern in protecting the purity of Lake Superior. These States are parties to the Lake Superior Federal-State enforcement conference. For that reason, he said he has written to the respective Governors suggesting that they consider intervention in the proposed action and participation with EPA and the Department of Justice in seeking an end to the pollution. ########### EPA Form 1510-1 (8-71) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - 3 - "Although non-pesticide uses of mercury constitute the major source of environmental contamination, mercurial pesticides account for a significant proportion of such contamination, Ruckelshaus said. "The continued widespread use of such pesticides would raise serious questions of safety to man and the environment." LPA pesticide officials estimated that approximately 12 products would be suspended and about 750 cancelled as a result of the two orders. In October, the EPA affirmed the cancellation of three mercury pesticides used to kill algae in swimming pools and water cooling towers after the original cancellation notices had been reviewed by a scientific advisory committee on appeal from the manufacturer, with the committee recommending that the cancellations be sustained. # # # Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460 Deister (202) 755-2770 Farkas ( 202) 254-7526 FOR RELEASE P.M. 'S FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1972 EPA MOVES TO SHARPLY CURTAIL USE OF MERCURY PESTICIDES William D. Ruckelshaus, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, today acted to stop the interstate shipment of nearly all remaining pesticide products containing mercury in an effort to avoid further hazard to human health and contamina- tion of the environment from this source. In a two-part move, Ruckelshaus ordered the suspension of federal registrations for all alkyl mercury pesticides and all other mercury products applied to laundry fabrics and rice seed, and mixed in marine anti-fouling paints for vessels. Suspension is the most drastic regulatory measure available to the Environmental Protection Agency. The order immediately halts all interstate commerce in these products on the grounds that their continued sale would constitute an imminent hazard to the public. "Alkyl mercury is highly toxic and can accumulate in the brain, causing damage to the nervous system," Ruckelshaus said. "The other suspended products come in direct contact with and can con- taminate water resources. Once in the water, they can be converted by biological processes into a more toxic form of mercury whose residues find their way into fish and other aquatic life likely to be consumed by the public." The order cited the concern for build-up in the environment and food chain. Ruckelshaus said in his order: "To allow a course of conduct today that may create an uncorrectable and highly dangerous situation tomorrow is to engage in environmental brinksmanship." The alkyl mercury products suspended by the order are registered for fungicidal use on cotton, farm and greenhouse equipment, ornamentals, turf, and on trees and shrubs to control anthracnose, EPA Form 1510.1 (6-71) (more) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - 2 - leaf spots, and blights. They are also used to retard mold and mildew on surfaces and as a wood preservative. Alter- native methods of control are available for most of these uses, according to the EPA. Certain alkyl mercury pesticides used to treat seed were suspended in 1970 by the Federal Government after several New Mexico children were seriously poisoned after eating meat from a hog fed waste seed treated with the chemical. No attempt will be made by the Government to recall the suspended mercury products already in the hands of distri- butors or on dealers' shelves because of serious problems related to disposal and storage that a massive recall would create. The Agency pointed out that safe disposal techniques for mercury, particularly in large quantities do not now exist. The safest method of disposal is to proceed with normal use, observing established precautionary procedures, with resulting diffusion in the environment. In a simultaneous action, the EPA Administrator has given notice of intent to cancel the federal registration of all other mercury pesticide products, including those used in mildew-proofing paint, treatment of logs and lumber to prevent stain and mildew, and for control of stinking smut on wheat, snow mold on golf courses, and leaf stripe disease on barley. A cancellation notice does not immediately stop inter- state commerce in the affected products, as is the case with a suspension order. Rather, it allows manufacturers or users 30 days in which to challenge the cancellation notice itself by filing an administrative appeal. An appeal initiates a scientific review or a public hearing on the cancellation action, during which period the manufacturers can continue to market their products. Under the law the Environmental Protection Agency must commence administrative action by cancellation whenever a "substantial question of safety" exists with regard to a pesticide. Last year, over 771,000 pounds of mercury were used in mildew-proofing paint, 137,639 pounds in agricultural products, and as much as 44,000 pounds for treating an estimated 10 billion board feet of logs and lumber. Agricultural use of mercury pesticides declined 33 percent from 1969. (more) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460 Deister (202) 755-2770 EPA NEWS FEATURE Hoffman (202) 755-2770 FOR RELEASE SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1972 EPA WILL BUILD "ARTIFICIAL OCEAN" TO TEST OIL SPILL CLEANUP METHODS An "artificial ocean" complete with its own wavemaking machinery -- will be built in New Jersey by the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency, to test equipment for cleaning up spills of oil and other hazardous materials. The $1.8 million concrete test tank -- measuring 600 feet long and holding more than two million gallons of water -- will be the only one of its kind in the world. The test facility, to be completed by May 1973, will be built on a five-acre marshland site leased to EPA by the Earle Naval Ammunition Depot in Leonardo, New Jersey, located on the south shore of Raritan Bay. Known as OHMSETT (Oil and Hazardous Materials Systems Environ- mental Test Tank), it will test new types of booms, skimmers and other devices used to contain and clean up spills. In order to test the various devices under realistic condi- tions, the OHMSETT facility will be equipped with a wave gener- ator, to produce regular, irregular and "confused" waves up to two feet high. The tank, 65 feet wide and 8 feet deep, will contain about 2.6 million gallons of water drawn from Raritan Bay. A tracked bridge spanning the tank will tow test equipment lengthwise down the tank at speeds of up to six knots. Data will be transmitted to a small control building for recording and processing. Some water quality analyses will be done in a small laboratory near the tank. The data collected from OHMSETT will help EPA reduce the harmful impact of accidental discharges of hazardous pollutants upon beaches and the marine environment. Such spills have become a problem of major dimension for America's lakes and coastal waters. Reproduced at the Richard Mor Presidential Library and Museum EPA Form 1510-1 (6-71) 2 In 1970, the U.S. Coast Guard recorded 3,335 oil spills (a total of about 15 million gallons) and 376 spills of haz- ardous materials and other substances (about 1/4 of a million gallons). Since the OHMSETT facility will, on a continuous basis, make use of oil and other hazardous materials, EPA has taken precautions to insure that the tank does not harm the surround- ing environment. Wastewater, oil and other materials from the tank will be piped directly to an adjacent treatment facility; the effluent from the treatment facility will be of higher quality than the water pumped in from Raritan Bay. Oily portions separated from the wastewater will be re- refined, and solids will be stored and eventually transferred to State-approved landfill sites. The OHMSETT facility is funded by EPA's National Environ- mental Research Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. It will be oper- ated by NERC's Water Quality Research Division in Edison, New Jersey, which is located in EPA's Region II. The winning construction bid -- of $1,828,800 -- was sub- mitted by Remsco Associates of Matawan, New Jersey. Another New Jersey firm, Engineers Incorporated of Newark, designed the OHMSETT facility and will supervise its construction. #### (Note to editors: A photo of a model of the "artificial ocean" is available upon request from the Office of Public Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency.) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 20460 Temple (202) 755-2770 Hoffman (202) 755-2770 FOR RELEASE AFTER 4:30 P.M., FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1972 EPA DENIES ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF 1975 AUTO EMISSION STANDARDS William D. Ruckelshaus, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, today denied a one-year extension of the legal requirement for 1975 auto emission standards that had been requested by five companies. Ruckelshaus said the companies had failed to produce sufficient evidence required under the Clean Air Act to justify such a post- ponement of the standards. "We have concluded that although auto manufacturers demon- strated difficulties in their efforts to reduce exhaust pollutants, they have not established that the technology does not exist. Impressive progress has been achieved in controlling auto emissions by a variety of control systems employing catalysts. Our analysis of all data suggests the technology may well be available for the 1975 cars to meet these standards,' Ruckelshaus said. "We recognize that it may require financial commitments by auto makers to catalyst suppliers before all testing has been completed, but it appears that such commitments, already taken by one major auto company, are necessary to achieve the air pollution control objectives mandated by the 1970 Clean Air Act." The Clean Air Act calls for a 90 percent reduction in emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in 1975 model autos compared with emissions from 1970 models. The Act also authorizes the EPA Administrator to grant a one-year suspension of the 1975 standards if after hearings and examination of evidence he determines that the suspension is (more) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum FPA 15101 -2- essential to the public interest or public health and welfare; that the applicant for a waiver has made good faith efforts to meet the 1975 standards; and that the applicant has established that effective control technology is not available or has not been available long enough to achieve compliance with the stan- dards. Five companies applied for the one-year suspension prior to EPA hearings that began April 10. They were Volvo, Incor- porated, of Sweden; International Harvester; General Motors; Ford; and Chrysler. A sixth company, American Motors, also filed for a suspension after the hearings began, but its appli- cation was not included in today's decision, and a separate hearing will be scheduled soon on its request. Any other company seeking a suspension must submit a formal application with supporting data. A number of other auto companies and makers of emission control systems, as well as public interest groups, testified during the three weeks of hearings. A total of 2,926 pages of testimony were received and are on file at EPA headquarters for public inspection. # # # # Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum FACT SHEET PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM The President's Environmental Merit Awards Program will make it possible for students of the Nation's high schools to receive recognition for individual or group projects that benefit the environment. Opportunity to participate in the program is being offered to some 38,000 public and private high schools across the country. All students who undertake and complete a responsible environmental service project will receive an award. Additional awards will be given to projects deserving special recognition. Panels made up of student, faculty and community representatives will administer the program. National support for this program will be provided through the Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Education. Suggested projects for the program could fit into four categories education, environmental awareness, community service and public affairs. Students could seek assistance with their projects from private as well as governmental agencies at all levels Federal, State and local. The best primary sources of help would be provided by local libraries and environmental groups. Objective - To provide a vehicle through which the Federal Government may recognize and reward constructive, responsible environmental services performed by American high school youth throughout the country. Scope - The President's Environmental Merit Awards will encompass youth activities throughout the entire country and will be offered through more than thirty eight thousand high schools, both public and private. Structure - Environmental service awards will recognize two levels of accomplish- ment in the performance if environmental service. The first level will be granted to all students or student groups who undertake and complete a responsible environmental service project. The second level will be awarded for projects which are considered by a judging panel to merit special recognition for achievement. Administration - The awards program will be administered at the local level, using judging and advisory panels made up of student, faculty and community representatives. This method of administration is considered essential because evaluation of projects should be made using community needs and problems to determine the criteria. Participation - Students may take part as individuals or as members of school organizations. They can choose a more passive role concerned in a general education - type project or play a more active role by becoming involved in a project concerned with governmental process. Categories of Concern - Individual or group activities could be undertaken under a number of objectives such as: Education - Possible activities could be to conduct pollution surveys, to gather watershed analysis data, to develop inventories of consumer habits or to study government and legislative processes. MORE Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -2- - Environmental Awareness - This category would carry the education process one step further by giving presentations at community meetings, preparing articles for local newspapers, sponsoring ecology fairs and working with younger children. Community Service - Suggested projects could include restoring streams to their natural state, eliminating vermin, cleaning up litter, landscaping a park, staffing an environmental information center or operating a recycling program. Public Affairs - Direct involvement in government at work could include cooperating with public officials, attending public hearings, presenting environmental data to zoning boards, sewage districts planning authorities and utility commissions. Support - Private as well as governmental agencies at all levels -- Federal, State, and local offer a wide variety of assistance to projects. While capable of supplying general information needs, large agencies are best utilized once specific program objectives have been determined. Local libraries and environmental groups are the primary source of information during initial project development. # # # Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum FACT SHEET PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM The President's Environmental Merit Awards Program will make it possible for students of the Nation's high schools to receive recognition for individual or group projects that benefit the environment. Opportunity to participate in the program is being offered to some 38,000 public and private high schools across the country. All students who undertake and complete a responsible environmental service project will receive an award. Additional awards will be given to projects deserving special recognition. Panels made up of student, faculty and community representatives will administer the program. National support for this program will be provided through the Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Education. Suggested projects for the program could fit into four categories education environmental awareness, community service and public affairs. Students could seek assistance with their projects from private as well as governmental agencies at all levels Federal, State and local. The best primary sources of help would be provided by local libraries and environmental groups. Objective - To provide a vehicle through which the Federal Government may recognize and reward constructive, responsible environmental services performed by American high school youth throughout the country. Scope - The President's Environmental Merit Awards will encompass youth activities throughout the entire country and will be offered through more than thirty eight thousand high schools, both public and private. Structure - Environmental service awards will recognize two levels of accomplish- ment in the performance of environmental service. The first level will be granted to all students or student groups who undertake and complete 3. responsible environmental service project. The second level will be awarded for projects which are considered by a judging panel to merit special recognition for achievement. Administration - The awards program will be administered at the local level, using judging and advisory panels made up of student, faculty and community representatives. This method of administration is considered essential because evaluation of projects should be made using community needs and problems to determine the criteria. Participation - Students may take part as individuals or as members of school organizations. They can choose a more passive role concerned in a general education - type project or play a more active role by becoming involved in a project concerned with governmental process. Categories of Concern - Individual or group activities could be undertaken under a number of objectives such as: Education - Possible activities could be to conduct pollution surveys, to gather watershed analysis data, to develop inventories of consumer habits or to study government and legislative processes. MORE Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -2- Environmental Awareness - This category would carry the education process one step further by giving presentations at community meetings, preparing articles for local newspapers, sponsoring ecology fairs and working with younger children. Community Service - Suggested projects could include restoring streams to their natural state, eliminating vermin, cleaning up litter, landscaping a park, staffing an environmental information center or operating a recycling program. Public Affairs - Direct involvement in government at work could include cooperating with public officials, attending public hearings, presenting environmental data to zoning boards, sewage districts planning authorities and utility commissions. Support - Private as well as governmental agencies at all levels -- Federal, State, and local offer a wide variety of assistance to projects. While capable of supplying general information needs, large agencies are best utilized once specific program objectives have been determined. Local libraries and environmental groups are the primary source of information during initial project development. # # # Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum (Andrews) April 18, 1972 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS (JULIE EISENHOWER) All of us know that this is Earth Week, certainly a very appro- priate time to be honoring excellence in environmental action. But let me also remind you of another important anniversary which we observe today. It was on April 19, 1775 - 197 years ago this day -- that the Minutemen took their stand at Lexington and Concord and fired the "shots heard round the world. 11 Now America, especially young America, is on the march again fighting this time not for national independence, but for ecological interdependence. We have declared our basic human right to sur- roundings that are green and healthy and alive and clean. We have accepted our patriotic duty to defend that right. We will not be sum- mer patriots or sunshine soldiers we are in the battle to stay. We know that the earth we save will be our own. I like to think of the Environmental Merit Awards as decorations for valor, for heroism above and beyond the call of duty in serving. the environmental cause. It is with great pleasure that I will now present the first four of these awards to participants in four out- standing projects across the United States - north, south, east, and west. First, from Oak Park, Illinois, Miss Nancy Stockholm and Mr. John Rudzinski, winners of an excellence award for their innovative A Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -2- environmental education and action program at Oak Park-River Forest High School. Next, from Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Frank Laux and Mr. Dan Goldstein, to receive an excellence award for their successful. paper collection and recycling project in the Forth Worth community -- with special mention to Diamond Hill High School for its outstanding leadership efforts in that project. Next, from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Miss Dorothy A. Kline and Mr. William C. Lash of Juniata-Mifflin Area Vocational Technical School, to receive an excellence award for that school's county-wide, low-cost tree planting project. And finally, from Long Beach, California, an excellence award to Miss Elizabeth Bell and Mr. Jeffrey Bentley for an ambitious and highly successful program of recycling, tree planting, and environ- mental education at the elementary level, involving students from 5 Long Beach High Schools. On behalf of my father, may I congratulate all eight of you, and all your fellow students, teachers, and advisers who shared in these projects. Many, many more students will be following in your footsteps during the months and years ahead. Already the growth in this pro- gram has been phenomenal. Seven months ago there was no Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -3- Environmental Awards program at all. Now there are more than 2500 senior high schools taking part, representing all 50 States. Recently the scope has been broadened to take in summer camps as well. And I am delighted to tell you at this time that my father has asked me to announce plans to include junior high schools and elementary schools too in the awards competition beginning this fall. Ladies and gentlemen, that amounts to a tremendous mobiliza- tion of youth power on behalf of environmental quality in the United States. With thousands of schools and millions of young people taking part, and with the support and leadership of this distinguished new Advisory Committee for the program, I predict that we are going to see some miracles performed. Thank you very much. ### Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 1972 Office of the White House Press Secretary THE WHITE HOUSE EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM On October 31, 1971, I announced the establishment of the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commissioner of Education sent letters to high school prin-- cipals inviting them to participate in this program by establishing local tripartite committees to supervise and direct local Environmental Merit Awards Programs and to make awards to individual students or groups of students for significant environmental accomplishments by them. These committees were to be composed of students, faculty and interested members of the community. Today, more than 2,500 high schools, including schools in each of the 50 States, are actively involved in this program. In view of this encouraging response, I have concluded that I should establish a national committee to advise me of ways in which this program can be further expanded and enhanced and of other ways in which the environmental accomplishments of individuals and groups may be appropriately recognized. NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. (a) There is hereby established the President's Advisory Committee on the Environmental Merit Awards Program. The Committee shall be composed of a Chair-- man, to be designated by the President, and such members as the President may, from time to time, appoint. (b) The Committee shall advise the President and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on ways in which the Environmental Merit Awards Program can be expanded and enhanced. The Committee shall select individuals or groups of individuals who deserve special recognition for their local environmental accomplishments and confer appropriate Environmental Merit Awards upon them on behalf of the President. The Committee shall perform such other related functions as the President may, from time to time, specify. Section 2. No member of the Committee shall receive compensation from the United States by reason of service as a member of the Committee but such members may be allowed such travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsis- tence, as may be authorized by law. Section 3. The Environmental Protection Agency shall provide, to the extent permitted by law, administrative support for the Committee and the Environmental Merit Awards Program. RICHARD NIXON THE WHITE HOUSE, April 19, 1972. # # # Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION I MAINE MASSACHUSETTS NEW HAMPSHIRE RHODE ISLAND VERMONT CONNECTICUT MAINE (1) Katahdin High School Sherman Station, Maine 04777 (207) 365-4272 "Environmental Control" MASSACHUSETTS (1) Habitat High School 10 Juniper Road, Box 184 Belmont, Massachusetts 02178 REG. "De-Icing Salts and the Environment" CONNECTICUT (1) Killingly High School (203) 774-8985 PROJS. '71-'72 FATIVI ITN Danielson, Connecticut 06239 "Survey of an Ecosystem in Connecticut" & (an individual project) C Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION II NEW YORK VIRGIN ISLANDS NEW JERSEY PUERTO RICO NEW YORK (1) John F. Kennedy High School Somers, New York 10589 (914) 232-5061 "Recycling of Aluminum and Glass" (2) Levittown Memorial High School Ranch & Abbey Lanes Levittown, New York 11756 (516) PY6-6800 "Environmental Experiments by Ecology Class" NEW JERSEY (1) Dwight Morrow High School Englewood, New Jersey 07631 (201) 871-4300 "Interdisciplinary Environment Education and Independent Research" (2) Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders has presented a grant to Morristown/Morris County National Parks Centennial Association to conduct "LIFE Pass It On" program in 23 high schools in Morris County (3) St. Joseph High School North Third St. Hammonton New Jersey 08037 (609) 561-0689 561-0348 (Convent phone) "Environmental Awareness" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION III DELAWARE VIRGINIA MARYLAND WEST VIRGINIA PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PENNSYLVANIA (1) Juniata Mifflin Area Vocational Technical School Lewistown, Pennsylvania 17044 (717) 248-3933 "Green Up Your Back Yard" (2) Bishop McDevitt High School Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17103 (215) 236-7973 "Environmental Action Program" (3) Williams Valley High School Reinerton, Pennsylvania 17980 (717) 647-2646 i " Clean Wiconisco Creek" (4) Moniteau Jr-Sr High School West Sunbury, Pennsylvania 16061 (412) 637-2821 "Ecology Poster Contest" "Ecology Photo Contest" MARYLAND (1) Severna Park Senior High School Robinson & Evergreen Roads Severna Park, Maryland 21146 (301) 647-2333 "Environment of Severna Park Area" SPOT - Severna Park Organized Teens ( more) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION III (cont.) VIRGINIA (1) Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School Arlington, Virginia 22213 (703) 534-8100 "Life As We See It" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION IV ALABAMA MISSISSIPPI FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA GEORGIA SOUTH CAROLINA KENTUCKY TENNESSEE TENNESSEE (1) Hume-Fogg Technical Vocational High School Nashville, Tennessee 37203 (615) 244-6070 "Environmental Pollution" Note: Science club won 1st place in Nashville, 1971 Medical Asso. Contest and 3rd place in the Tennessee Medical Asso. contest. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION V OHIO WISCONSIN INDIANA ILLINOIS MICHIGAN MINNESOTA OHIO (1) Swanton High School Swanton, Ohio 43558 "Glass Collecting for Recycling" Note: Robert L. Bratton, senior, outstanding student (2) Woodward High School Toledo, Ohio 43608 (419) 726-1540 "School Clean-Up" "Ottawa River Clean-Up" "Plastic Recycling" (student & community programs) (3) Watkins-Memorial Jr-Sr. High School Pataskala, Ohio 43062 (614) 927-2061 "Governmental Protection of Ecology; a Problem in Survival" (4) 80 high schools working with Institute for Environmental Education 8911 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (216) 231-5010 Joseph H. Chadbourne, Principal (5) Fields High School Mansfield, Ohio 44901 P.O.Box 788 (419) 522-3632 Baylis L. Prater - Consultant 324-8022 "Ecology Behind Prison Walls" more Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION V (Cont.) (6) E. L. Bowsher High School 3548 South Detroit Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43614 "Ecological Environment Problems' Local and National MICHIGAN (1) Ashley High School Ashley, Michigan 48806 (517) 847-2341 "Pollution in the Maple River" (2) Lawton Community High School Lawton, Michigan 49065 (616) 624-4655 "Recycling Center: Operation Pig Pen" (3) Gaylord Community High School Gaylord, Michigan 49735 (517) 732-5551 "Petroleum in Otsego County" "Study of Gaylord Sewer System" (4) Royal Oak Dondero High School 709 North Washington Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 (313) 541-7100 "SCUM: STUDENTS CLEANING UP MESSES" ILLINOIS (1) Oak Park & River Forest High School 201 North Scoville Avenue Oak Park, Illinois 60302 (312) 383-0700 Ext. 561 "Pollution Control Center" ( more) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum REGION V (Cont.) WISCONSIN (1) Cumberland High School Cumberland, Wisconsin 54829 "Are Cumberland Lakes Dying?" "Is Beaver Dam Lake Dying?" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION VI ARKANSAS OKLAHOMA LOUISIANA NEW MEXICO TEXAS TEXAS (1) EAGLE PASS HIGH SCHOOL Eagle Pass, Texas 78852 (512) 773-9536 "Environmental Control Organization" ( High School Club) NEW MEXICO (1) Hot Springs High School Truth or Consequences, New Mexico 87901 (505) 894-2839 "Save Our Surroundings SOS" "State Ecology High School Seminar" C Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION VII KANSAS IOWA MISSOURI NEBRASKA KANSAS (1) Wichita High School North Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 264-7351 "City-County Pollution Survey" 1970 1972 MISSOURI (1) Academy of the Sacred Heart St. Charles, Missouri 63301 (314) 723-1818 "Water and Air Pollution" IOWA (1) Maquoketa Valley Community High School Delhi, Iowa 52223 (319) 522-2713 "Operation Clean-Up" NEBRASKA (1) Central Catholic High School West Point, Nebraska 68788 (402) 528-3280 "Does Chlordane Affext the Food Chain?" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION VIII COLORADO UTAH WYOMING NORTH DAKOTA MONTANA SOUTH DAKOTA UTAH (1) Clearfield High School Clearfield, Utah 84015 (801) 825-2216 "Environmental Research Center - The Clearfield Project" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION IX CALIFORNIA GUAM WAKE ISLAND NEVADA HAWAII ARIZONA AMERICAN SAMOA TRUST TERRITORIES OF PACIFIC ISLANDS CALIFORNIA (1) Willow Glen High School 2001 Cottle Avenue San Jose, California 95125 (408) 266-7340 "Environmental Education and Community Problems" (2) San Clemente High School 700 Avenida Pico San Clemente, California 92672 (714) 492-4165 "An Ecological Survey of Dana Point Harbor" (3) Five High Schools Long Beach Unified School District 701 Locust Avenue Long Beach, California 90813 (213) 13 "Beautification and Ecology Program" at School & Community Level (4) Anderson Valley High School Boonville, California 95415 "Fire Prevention Poster" (5) Salesian High School 2851 Salesian Avenue Richmond, California 94804 "Save Sea Life" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PROJECTS IN REGIONS REGION X WASHINGTON IDAHO OREGON ALASKA IDAHO (1) Marsh Valley High School Arimo, Idaho 83214 (208) 254- - 3376 "Saving Environment and Human Resources" WASHINGTON (1) Selkirk High School Ione, Washington 99139 (509) 446-2941 "Selkirk Environmental Center" (Outstanding project) (2) Tacoma Public School 701 South 37th St , Tacoma, Washington 98408 "Youth Conservation Corps" Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum GIVIZEN BELMONT, MASS. W. 4,350 IUN 1972 New 1 England Newscling Habitat environment study carns President's award Senator Edward W. Brooke presented in May 19. tea special awards for En- iremmental Excellence to the Habitat School of the Environment of Belmont, ind nine of its students. 7..0 awards. granted under the Presi- Tent's Environmental Awards Program, TO the first to be presented in New Supland. according to John A. S. Regional Administrator of to U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Hoshat. a private secondary school, and its students. received the award for a page study they prepared on "De- eing Salts and the Environment" for the and National Audubon So- ioties. Students receiving the awards from Senator Brooke were: Pamela M. Bald- vin. Concord: Sandra S. Bisset, Simms- MY. Conn.: Anne K. Burnett, Long Tendow: Barrie E. Goodman, Windsor, Vermont: James A. Graham, Pleasantville, New York; Mary Ellen lawes. New Bedford: Jennifer Lewis, Baltimore. Md.: John K. Nessel, Boston; arah F. Russell, New York City. Mr. McGlennon. whose Agency along with the U. S. Office of Education, is Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts presided at the presentation of the Presidential Awards rimarily responsible for supporting the of Excellence to the Habitat School of the Environment, Belmont, Mass. and seven of its students for wards program, noted that the Habitat outstanding achievement in environmental services. From left to right, John K. Nessel, Boston; Sandra tudy was completed in February of 1972 S. Bisset, Simmsbury, Conn.; Senator Edward W. Brooke; Anne K. Burnett, Long Meadow. Mass.; and nd is a comprehensive review of the side Mary Ellen Hawes, New Bedford, Mass. flects of de-icing salts. Sections of the report deal with the hemistry and application of de-icing alts: automobile corrosion; damage to ublie works: water pollution; effections n vegetation and wildlife: effectiveness salting: alternatives; and economics of alting. Mr. McGlennon explained that the 'resident's environmental Merit Awards 'rogram is a nation-wide endeavor to ecognize the activities and achieve- nents of students who have committed temselves to constructive environmen- il service. NEWS CLIPS PRESS RELEASES & D Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Page 2, THE NEWS CITIZEN, Tuesday, May 10, 1072 RECEIVE PRESIDENT"S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARD Form Claim Creck High School students were recognized last from Cicar Lake for the Clear Creck Water Quality Sw- weeks = contributions in environmental work in the veyo The presentations were made by Sigmand Sychern, Clean mon. Recipients of the President's Environ- depecty director of flight operations at the Manned Someo- Award ,Vesi: 255 Sjecers. Cheryl Mary Cindi Center. President Richard Nicon's representative the Naccher, and JONE Chanes served in: "SAM- active program Was Vic. Nina Harmon, assistant director scientists" last year when they Wans's samples of pable affairs for the Environmental Protection Agency. Any Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Atlanta Juinal 5-16-72 CARES The water Lords Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum e Staff Pnotos-Guy Hayes ERIC GOLDBERG (LEFT) HOLDS SAMPLE OF PEACHTREE CREEK WATER FIONA TURNBULL READS NADER STUDY He and Robert Shearer Helped to Update Water Quality Control Report She Is Co-Chairman of First STEP Group ATLANTA YOUTH PROJECT STEP Toward Awareness GINGER "I: doest't even matter :: potential." cald Firm, take the National Park Sen- Flore EX- stam 2 STEP in printing CC: that the students vice's 10-hour course 10 quall- "if you CEN get them their schools, as long as they rarely ever hash over priori- by as environmental study about the environ- themselves bloome aware of area leaders. she a Street in 22 School ment. doing something about environmental problems, do ties of things that need to be was it: good it. then maybe they will go something about them, and done, they simply do them. All the STEP members have a an- worked to make nature walks home and educate their par- talk in others about it." "Ii you car get enough peo- at Camp Timber Ridge and ents." The National Parks Service ple - young and old truly don't Row why I care." since April have been taking Floca is co-chairman of a and the United States Com- concerned to begin to do she murmured. To her, being groups of children through the fairly new association of mission for UNESCO are so things right now, whether it be concerned the: = quality envi- trails. you tin people which has re- impressed with the initiative legal action or building a recy- ronment CHISTS :s just as natu- cently received national atten- of the Atlanta area students cling center, then it will make Aside from serving as park ral as buying groceries or tion. that they have given STEP 2 a big difference." guides, each STEP member going to school name and plan to sponsor it has worked individually on Since Antil the Marietta The 40 original members of IT IS CALLED STEP (Stu- nationally. some environmental project High School senior has been STEP got together a: the U.S. dent Toward Environmental which is important to him and taking groups of elementary National Commission's Envi- Awarenessi. but the students THERE ARE only two com- his community. school students 01 weekly na- ronmental Conferento ewhich didn't think up the name. mittments which STEP re- ture walks through the Girl met in Atlanta last November. They have no officers. only quires: To form an "environ- Secuts' Camp Timber Ridge. Ray Geerdes. chief historian co-chairman to "do the dirty mental ethic" by spreading at Kennesaw Mountain Na- work" for 80 members, and environmental awareness to FIONA NEVER recites the tional Battlefield Park, had they feel that STEP meetings youth and adults, and to par- correct names of trees or in- arranged for the high school would be nice, but not neces- ticipate in programs of enviro- sects the children see. students to attend the confer- serv. Most work is done on an mental activism. Instead. point out ence as observers. individual basis. Last weekend. the National a fallen true. What will "We're a clearing house for Parks Service and UNESCO pen to the this that were "WE WERE SADLY disap- information and projects that jointly sponsored a STEP con- nesting that? Weren't there pointed." Fiona remarked. people might be interested in ference at Northside High bugs and worms depending on "There were a lot of fantastic doing. Or. if somebody has School in cooperation with the that tree for life? Why did it people pointing out all this work to be done. we'll find Atlanta Public Schools Envi- fall? What up in its knowledge, but they didn't re- someone to do it," Fiona ex- ronmental Education Project. place? late to each other. We went plained of the loosely knit stu- More than 350 students from "I want to work with the there hoping to learn more dent group which draws in the Southeast S? entwo days about the environm It than members from four counties. here discussing ways to form we could from newspapers, their own STEP groups and but we didn't. The delegates "OUR PRIMARY function projects which would have an didn't even have any sugges- is individual awareness and immediate impact on their tions for things to do. education of others. rather communities. than going around picking up After the conference was beer cans. "STEP HAS GOT a fantas- over. the high school students met in a separate room to dis- cuss their feelings They agreed to begin 311 inter- school alliance to get young people involved in actual envi- ronmental work. LATER, THEY called a meeting at Kennesaw Moun- tain Park to discuss projects for their group and decided to Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum CheAtlania Zommal Livisa Ginger H. Troy, Editor 6-B Tye Sitianta Fournal Tuesday, May 15, 1972 PROJECTS CARRIED OUT 15 Students Honored For Environment Aid Presidential Environmental Excellence Awards were given to 15 Atlanta area students at the STEP conference in Atlanta last weekend. The awards are in recognition of envi- ronmental service to the community. The students and their projects are: North Fulton High School: Robert Shearer, Eric Goldberg and Linda Hardy. "Water Quality of Peachtree Creek Basin: The South Fork, the North Fork, and Nancy Creek - Update of 1968 Water Quality Control Board Report." Marietta High School: Rick Hume and Russell McNair. "Chemical Analysis of Rottenwood Creek in Cobb County." Northside High School: Jim Hughes and Rardy Spratt. "A Case Study of the Effects of an Apartment Complex on the Chattahoochee Through Examination of Bacterial Pollution, Amount Dissolved Oxygen, Phosphate Content, and Organic Matter.' Northside High School: Christic Mason. "Effects of Land and Water Use on the Flint River as presented in an Original Film The River Speaks for Itself'." Dykes High School: Bob Cannon. "A Winter Study of Life Forms and Water Quality of Nancy Creck." Northside High School: Tommy Jones. "Informing the Community of the Effects of Clearcutting, Channelization and Fire on Wildlife." Henry Grady High School: Sarah Patterson. "A Plan of Reforestation to be Implemented at Tiber Ridge." Northside High School: Dee Hanner. "How Adequate is Emergency Medical Care in Densely Populated Areas of At- lanta?" Northside High School: Tere Darnell. "Teaching First Graders about Ecology and Pollution." Henry Grady High School: Annette Cook. "Teaching 9 through 12-Year-Old Children About the Environment Through Various Teaching Approaches: Environmental Study Area, Lecture, Demonstration and Discussion." Northside High School: Steve Berger. "Housing Patterns in the City of Atlanta as Indicated by the 1970 Census." Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum 10-C The Sittanta Toutnal and CONSTITUTION SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1972 34 AREA STUDENTS GET ECOLOGY AWARDS By United Press International Presidential environmental awards were presented to 34 greater Atlanta high school students Saturday night at the close of a two-day environmental conference. The award recipients, members of Students Toward En- vironmental Participation (STEP), were honored for ecologi- cal work ranging from a water quality study of Peachtree Creek Basin to the effects of channelization and clearcutting on wildlife. Jack E. Ravan, regional administrater of the Environ- mental Protection Agency, praised the youngsters as "an out- standing example of the commitment of young people have made to a better environment." "They are aware of the problems and they are acting con- structively to remedy the situation," he said. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum THE HOUSTON POST FRIDAY, MAY 12, 7972 Clear Creek students cited by Nixon for pollution study Twelve students from Clear mental Protection Agency, Jeff Rosenberg, and David Creek High School got "well told the students their work Kloptenstein. done" commendations from was "one of the outstanding A special award of ex- President Nixon Thursday for projects in the country, and cellence was presented to the a 1971 summer study of pollu- the only water quality study group's graduate student-ad- tion in Clear Lake. in the nation that has been viser, Mrs. Pam S. Ward, The students were present- chosen to receive these who returned here from Mich- od with presidential merit awards." igan for the ceremony. awards "ior service to the community and the nation The students spent last Ten sponsoring organiza- IN environmental protection summer criss-crossing the tions and advisers also got achievement." lake in small boats. and tak- the awards. Sigurd A. Sjoberg. deputy ing samples for analysis by Astronaut Fred W. Haise, director of the Manned Space- the University of Houston. A Jr., Was scheduled to speak craft Center, handed out the report on their findings is at the ceremony but the pro- certificates during a high being printed and will be rc- gram's sponsors said Rear school assembly. One of the leased shortly. Adm. Alan B. Shepard Jr., awards went to Sjoberg's son, Besides young Sjoberg, the chief of the astronauts, can- Bob. award winners still in high celed Haise's appearance be- Sjoberg said the students' school are John Crane, Cheryl cause it had not been cleared work could be "a real Murphy and Phil Naccker. through him. catalyst in improving water The remaining award win- quality in Clear Creck and ners, who have since gone on Clear Lake." to college, are Linda Nina Harmon. a public af- Betancourt, Charles Doland, fairs officer with the Dallas Craig Faupell, Jim Huggins, regional office of the Environ- Gregg Lake, Ruth Melton, Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum THE PAXTON HERALD Harrisburg, Po. W-N.A. MAY 10 1972 MUTUAL PRESS CLIPPING Philadulphia, Po. 19102 High School Wins President's Environmental Award Halifax Area High School, Halifax. will receive the "Presidential Award of Ex- cellence" for its outstanding con- tribution to its community through environmental achievement. In making the announcement Edward W. Furia, Regional Act- ministrator of the Middle Atlantic Region, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that Halifax was the first school within the Region to receive the citation. Mark N. Silverman, an official of EPA will present the award to 50 students on behalf of President Richard Nixon at a special ceremony on May 5. at the Halifax High School Auditorium at 10:00 A.M. Furia said Halifax was selected from more than 600 applicants for the Presidential award because of their outstanding efforts to clean up the Powell Creek in Halifax. "The students cleared the stream of all debris; constructed dams to improve conditions for the breeding of trout and con- structed barriers to remove sedimentation from the bottom of the stream," Furia said. "Their ef- forts and accomplishments are a credit to their community and the entire Region." Congratulations! duplicate Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CIRLY 10 DATE May 9. 1972 AITN on 10A M/S 540 SUBJECT Current Status of PEMAP in Region 10 10. Ginger Savolli Regional Coordinator, OPA. EPA, Washington, D. c. The Awards to Selkirk Righ School in Ione, Washington were presented by Don Moos, Assistant Regional Administrator, on Friday, April 28. The ceremony was very successful and the eastern Wash- ington press used the item (see attached clipping) in newpapers and TV. This award was doubly appreciated by the school since a school levy vote was due the next week, and favorable publicity was valuable. The Regional Public Affairs office last week sent a letter (copy attached) to each of the 95 schools listed on the print-out received from Readquarters. Withheach letter we included applications with instructions and a copy of our press release on the first regional award. Ke have as yet received no replies from the schools. but anti- cipate at least a 30 per cent response. We have requested that your office furnish us with blank certifi- cates so we can make "immediate response to any completed applications that come to us. We will make as may presentations as possible before the end of the school year. Me will also send originals of any applications to your office, keeping copies for ourselves, and keep your office informed of any other activities concerning PEMAP. for Herbert E. Simison Director, Public Affairs Division Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Spikane Daily 1/25/72 Around the Region Environmental Class Cited RETALINE FALLS, Company, In located 200015 Teacher George Fisher CA- Wash-Schirk High School the highway from the sexis the project. school. Students from Community participation was to receive the first re. In the project has been please Presidential Award of grades one so 12 have been rood, Mauson rald, with were Excellence for an environ- the Corested Sand for resentailes of Grorgia Pa. mental project in ceremo- DATE askloor classroom. Class- cifie and the Forest Service ples this atternoon. os in Melogy, Befany. sur- sometimes instructing class- Donald Neos. depoty TO vival Instruction and draw- es. administrator for the sur use the land three or The award. one of $0 Environmental Protection Sour lines a week during en nationally. was prevented Agency. presented The the fall and spring, Princi. in an assembly attended By award TO cognizin # the PAY Guy Houson said. students and community school's 20-2ere nature A withhe recreation class members. Selkirles project classroom. DAS doors most of the clean- was singled out from $5 2014 The land, leased from Mr. =>> on the Ind and Clazing plications from Alaska, P.T.O. usend International Lumber of trails. Manson reld. no. Oregon and Washin Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum VIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENC. Date: May 2, 1972 Reply :- AWN of: Public Affairs Office, Region IV, EPA Subject: Hume Fogg School Presidential Merit Award presented April 27, 1972 To: Mrs. Ginger Savell, Regional Coordinator, Office of Public Affairs EPA, Washington, D.C. Publicity regarding the presentation, made for the President by Region IV EPA Deputy Administrator James R. Westlake, is as follows: WLAC-TV: ran a news segment WSIX-TV: ran a news segment WLAC Radio ran it WSIX Radio ran it The National Banner newspaper ran a news article, a copy of which is being forwarded. The school's coordinator, Mrs. Tish Finch, gave the above report. She commented that the school also received many calls and telegrams, including one from Senator Howard Baker. She reported Mr. Westlake made a splendid appearance and was well received. School board officials and others also attended. Hagan Thompson Public Affairs Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum THE NASHVILLE BANNER, Thurs., Apr. 27, Hume-Fogg Wins EPA Merit Award Nashville's Hume - Fogg Technical Vocational High School received the Presi- dent's Environmental Merit Award today in special cere- monies held at the school. Hume-Fogg was the first school in the Southeast to be honored under the new program which is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Deputy Regional Ad- ministrator James R. West- lake of Atlanta, on behalf of President Nixon, presented certificates of merit to 34 students and three adult advisers. The students, under the guidance of Mrs. Tish Finch, included members of the bi- ology and health occupation classes and members of the science club. The President's Envirom. mental Merit Awards Pro- gram was established to recognize activities and achievements of high school students who have committed themselves to constructive environmental service. The program has recently been broadened to include elemenatry and junior schools and summer camping pro- grams. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum IG Port -Thurs., April 20, 1972 BLOO Times ENVIRONMENT AWARD GOES TO 8 STUDENTS WASHINGTON (P)-Julie Nixon Eisenhower pre- sented the first presidential Environmental Merit Awards in eight high school students from four States 30 is White House ceremony Wednesday. President Nixon's younger daughter announced that her father was expanding the awards program, which honors constructive environmental activities of young people, to junior high schools and elemen- tary sche ools. Mrs. Eisenhower presented special certificates in students Elizabeth Bell and Jeffrey Bentley of Long Beach, Frank J. Laux and Dan Goldstein of Ft. Worth, Tex., Dorothy A. Kleine and William C. Lash of Lewiston, Pa., and Nancy Stockholm and John Rudzinski of Oak Park, III. Mr. Nixon initiated the program last October with the hope that many thousands of high school stu- dents would strive for certificates under the theme: "Life-Pass It On." Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Halifax School Club Gets Ecology Award HALLFAX - Nigh grades usually mean i place on the secheolhonor roll. nia Fish Commission Con- servation Award.which WAS in- Ralph Abcle, executive direct But is group of ecology-mind- ed HAlliax Area High School itisted by the commission at a tor, and Jack Stepansky, Was pupils allried a bil higher and meeting on April 24. terways patrolman for Dail- This award, which each phin County, presented ine their efforts have cen YOU member of the Conservation Fish Commission awards. warded with straight A's So far, according 10 Келе from the very top - the Office Club received at yesterday's Weller, one of the iwa club ad- of the President of the United ceremony, consists of a certifi- visers- the other is Paul Wise States. cate expressing the commis- the students have bullt two sion's gratitude for the club's All 52 members of the 18-inch rock and log-type efforts and achievements plus school's Conservation Club yes- a cloth emblem that can be across the creek, nine long- tereay were presented is rock deflectors, and one single- "Presidential Award of Ex- worn on a jacket or sweater to iog riffle dam. For the Game show publicly that the individ- cellence." the first such award Commission, they've planted ual or group has made a sig- ever given by the U. S. Envi- trees and cut browse. nificant contribution in aiding ronmental Protection Agency. All of the work was done with the Fish Commission and citi- The awards were presented the technical. assistance of zens'of the commonwealth. on behalf of the President at a Stepansky and Barry Jenes, A Fish Commission spokes- special program at the school man said the award is "as- land manager in Dauphin and by Mark N. Silverman, direc- Lebanon coûnties for the Game signed to encourage youth of for of the agency's Public Af- Commission. Pennsylvania to study and be- fairs Division, with offices in Also assisting with all of the come more knowledgeable in Philadelphia. work were Robert N. Youtz, the areas of conservation, of Millersburg, chairman of the An agency official said Hall- the commonwealth's acquatic fax was selected from more environment and water crafts stre a m improvement com- mittee of the Dauphin County than 600 applicants for the safety and to recognize persons Presidential award because of Federation of Sportsmen's or organizations who guide to Clubs and recent winner of the the club's outstanding efforts completion programs or proj- Conservationist of the: Year to clean up Powells Creek. jects which improve fish habit- award, and Clarence Hoffman, "The students cleared the at; decrease pollution, enhance a member of the federation. stream of all debris, construct- the natural beauty of water Conservation Club officers areas or provide increased ed dams 10 improve conditions are Gerald Miller, president; fishing or boating opportunities for the breeding of trout and to citizens of the com- Karl Laudenslager, vice presi- constructed barriers to remove dent, and Jeanne Wiencz- monwealth sedimentation from the bottom kowski, secretary. All are se- of the stream" said Edward W. niors. Furia, administrator of the High School Principal Mark Middle Atlantic Region of the Drumheller presided at the U.S. Environmental Protection awards ceremony and Superin- tendent Marlin Zimmerman in- Agency. "Their efforts and ac- troduced guests. Music was complishments are a credit to their community and the entire provided by the school band under the direction of Danie region." Shearer and the: chorus, di The young environmentalists also achieved another first rected by Sally Lisi. with their Powells clean- up, winning of the Pennsylva- -68- Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum N REGION IV 7421 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Pou 404/526-3004 Thompson 404/526-3004 For Release '8 p.m., Saturday, May 13 ATLANTA, Ga., Presidental Environmental Awards were presented to 34 greater Atlanta high school students Saturday night at the close of a two day conference on the environment attended by more than 500 students and teachers from southeastern states and observers from Canada and Mexico. The award recipients, members of STEP (Students Toward Environmental Participation), were honored for their work in a number of ecological areas ranging from a water quality study of Peachtree Creek Basin to the effects of channelization and clearcutting on wildlife. STEP members were also cited for a childrens' environmental education project. Jack E. Ravan, Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, called STEP "an outstanding example of the committment young people have made to a better environment. "They are aware of the problems and they are acting constructively to remedy the situation, "he added. Especially praiseworthy, Ravan said, is the childrens' education portion of the STEP program. Upon completion of a National Park Service course, STEP members began serving as guides to elementary school students on weekly field trips to Camp Timber Ridge. Ravan also praised the sponsors of the Atlanta-originated STEP for their decision to expand the program nationwide and internationally. STEP is sponsored by the United States Commission for UNESCO and the National Park Service. for The high school students receiving Merit Awards from their initiative in the formation of STEP are: Atlanta Public Schools: Ralph Millsap, Sarah Patterson, Anne Pulliam, and Lauren Walker of Henry Grady High School, Sturat Cohen of Northside High School. Cobb County Schools: Mike Collett and Dennis Hayes of South Cobb High School, Bonnie Hopper and Marynell Gould of Wheeler High School, Loy Barton, Jack Ferguson, and Cathy Koeingkramer of McEachern High School, Donna Dotson, Susan Woodlief, Kimberly Scott, Randall Wadsworth, John Tanner and the late Mrs. Sara Oliphant of Sprayberry High School, Penny -more- Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Herndon of Osborne High School. Marietta Independent School System: Fiona Turnbull, Helen Tapp, Russell McNair, Neal Pylant, Bill Sutherland, John Graves, Roderick Humes, and Patty Ryle of Marietta High School. Paulding County: June Holden, June Bennette, Sheila McClure, Dot Stephens, Pam Matthews and Sandra Smith of Paulding High School. Fifteen students received special awards for individual activities of environmental service to the community. For the project, "Study of Water Pollutants in Local River, " Presidential Environmental Excellence Awards were given to: North Fulton High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Robert Shearer, Eric Goldberg and Linda Hardy. "Water Quality of Peachtree Creek Basin: The South Fork, the North Fork, and Nancy Creek - Update of 1968 Water Quality Control Board Report. " Marietta High School: Marietta Independent School System, to Rick Hume and Russell McNair. "Chemical Analysis of Rottenwood Creek in Cobb County. " Northside High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Jim Hughes and Rardy Spratt. "A Case Study of the Effects of an Apartment Complex on the Chattahoochee Through Examination of Bacterial Pollution, Amount Dissolved Oxygen, Phosphate Content, and Organic Matter. " Northside High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Christie Mason. "Effects of Land and Water Use on the Flint River as presented in an Original Film 'The River Speaks for Itself. " Dykes High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Bob Cannon. "A Winter Study of Life Forms and Water Quality of Nancy Creek. " Northside High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Tommy Jones. "Inform- ing the Community of the Effects of Clearcutting, Channelization and Fire on Wildlife. " Henry Grady High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Sarah Patterson. "A Plan of Reforestation to be Implemented at Timber Ridge. = Northside High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Dee Hanner. "How Adequate is Emergency Medical Care in Densely Populated Areas of Atlanta?" Northside High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Tere Darnell. "Teaching First Graders about Ecology and Pollution.' " Henry Grady High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Annette Cook. "Teaching Nine through Twelve Year Old Children About the Environment Through Various Teaching Approaches: Environmental Study Area, Lecture, Demonstration and Discussion. = -more- Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Northside High School: Atlanta Public Schools, to Steve Berger. "Housing Patterns in the City of Atlanta as Indicated by the 1970 Census. " -0- Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION IV 1421 Peachtree Si., N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Thompson 404/526-3004 For Release Thursday, April 27, 1972 si PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARD PRESENTED Atlanta, Ga. Nashville's Hume-Fogg Technical Vocational High School received the President's Environmental Merit Award Thursday in special ceremonies held at the school. Hume-Fogg was the first school in the southeast to be honored under the new program which is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Deputy Regional Administrator James R. Westlake of Atlanta, on behalf of President Nixon, presented certificates of merit to 34 students and three adult advisors The students, under the guidance of Mrs. Tish Finch, included members of the biology and health occupation classes and members of the science club. The President's Environmental Merit Awards Program was established to recognize activities and achievements of high school students who have committed themselves to constructive environmental service. The program has recently been broadened to include elementary and junior schools and summer camping programs. #### Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum TUESDAY APRIL 18, 19 THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Staff Director to Mrs. Nixon Julie Nixon Eisenhower will present the first certificates for Environmental Excellence at a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House on Wednesday, April 19, 1972, at 10:00 a. m. Mrs. Eisenhower, on behalf of the President, is honoring the constructive environmental activities of youth across the nation. The awards program, with the theme "Life -- Pass It On, 11 was established by President Nixon in October, 1971, to recognize responsible and constructive activities of youth in improving the quality of life and environment. The students' projects were selected from among numerous awards applications, representing all parts of the country. The students and their faculty advisors from four schools, representative of the nation, who will receive the certificates are: Miss Elizabeth Bell and Mrs. Jeffrey Bentley of Long Beach California. The Student Councils of five high schools in Long Beach banded together to establish a variety of innovative programs including tree planting, recycling, encouragement of and teaching of ecology at elementary schools. Mr. Frank J. Laux and Mr. Dan Goldstein of Fort Worth, Texas. The Fort Worth United High School Council conducted in conjunction with a local radio station an interschool resycling contest and used the proceeds to plant trees and provide an irrigation system for them. Miss Dorothy A. Kline and Mr. William C. Lash of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Students at the Juniata-Mifflin School in Lewistown, developed a soil conservation and beautification program which provided low cost tree planting for Union County. Over 2, 750 trees were planted as a result of the efforts of the students. Miss Nancy Stockholm and Mr. John Rudzinski, Oak Park, Illinois. The Students at Oak Park-River Forest High School in Illinois, developed a wide-range program to stimulate community awareness of environmental issues and to promote consideration of environmental legislation. Participating in the ceremony with Mrs. Eisenhower will be William Ruckelshaus, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. ##### Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 1972 Office of the White House Press Secretary THE WHITE HOUSE EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM On October 31, 1971, I announced the estab lishment of the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commissioner of Education sent letters to high school prin- cipals inviting them to participate in this program by establishing local tripartite committees to supervise and direct local Environmental Merit Awards Programs, and to make awards to individual students or groups of students for significant environmental accomplishments by them. These committees were to be composed of students, faculty and interested members of the community. Today, more than 2,500 high schools, including schools in each of the 50 States, are actively involved in this program. In view of this encouraging response, I have concluded that I should establish a national committee to advise me of ways in which this program can be further expanded and enhanced and of other ways in which the environmental accomplishments of individuals and groups may be appropriately recognized. NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. (a) There is hereby established the President's Advisory Committee on the Environmental Merit Awards Program. The Committee shall be composed of a Chair-- man, to be designated by the President, and such members as the President may, from time to time, appoint. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum BNN oomental Herat Awards Pro, did can be expanded and enhanced. The Committee shall select individuals or groups of individuals who deserve special recognition for their local environmental accomplishments and confer appropriate Environmental Merit Awards upon them on behalf of the President. The Committee shall perform such other related functions as the President may, from time to time, specify. Section 2. No member of the Committee shall receive compensation from the United States by reason of service as a member of the Committee but such members may be allowed such travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsis- tence, as may be authorized by law. Section 3. The Environmental Protection Agency shall provide, to the extent permitted by law, administrative support for the Committee and the Environmental Merit Awards Program. RICHARD NIXON THE WHITE HOUSE, April 19, 1972. ### Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION IV 1421 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Pou--404/526-3004 Thompson--404/526-3004 For Immediate Release ATLANTA AREA STUDENTS WIN PRESIDENTIAL AWARD ATLANTA, Ga., Forty Atlanta area high school students will re- ceive Presidential Environmental Merit Awards here this weekend as the highlight of a two-day conference sponsored by Students Toward Environmental Participation (STEP). Conference sessions will be held at Northside High School. Jack E. Ravan, Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, will present the merit awards at a banquet meeting Saturday night. The President's Environmental Merit Award Program is a nationwide endeavor to recognize the activities and achievements of students who have committed themselves to constructive environmental service. The award recipients, all charter members of the STEP program, serve as environmental study guides for younger students touring Camp Timber Ridge. STEP members take about 200 elementary school students to the Camp each week. The award winners are from nine high schools in four school systems: Henry Grady and Northside High in the Atlanta system; Sprayberry, McEachern, Osborne, South Cobb, and Wheeler High in the Cobb County system; Marietta High School and Paulding High School. More than 500 students and teachers from southeastern states are expected to attend the Conference. It is sponsored by the Environmental Education Project of the Atlanta Public Schools in cooperation with the United States Commission for UNESCO and the National Park Service. - more - Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - 2 STEP is an outgrowth of the U. S. National Commission's Environ- mental Conference held here in November and will soon be expanded nationwide and internationally. Conference speakers include Odom Fanning of Washington, D. C., a former science editor of the Atlanta Journal. Mr. Fanning, a native of Atlanta, in recent years has specialized in environmental writing. ####### Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM 1972 - 1973 SCHEDULE 1972 - June - August SUMMER CAMPS 1972 - June - August Preparation of PEMAP for up-coming school term Late August Mail PEMAP information and enrollment cards to 110,000 schools October Mail 1st bulletin to all schools that 1972-1973 SCHEDULE TIMETABLE have enrolled NOVEMBER 1 DEADLINE FOR PROJECT ENTRY IN PEMAP December 1 Mail 2nd bulletin Mail Award application forms (in duplicate) to all participating schools for project ending with the first school semester 1973 - JANUARY 1 DEADLINE FOR RETURN OF APPLICATIONS FOR AWARDS 1st SEMESTER February Mail 3rd bulletin April Mail 4th bulletin Mail award application forms (in duplicate) to all participating schools for school semester ending in May - June 1973 APRIL 25 DEADLINE FOR RETURN OF APPLICATIONS FOR AWARDS 2nd SEMESTER E Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM SUMMER CAMPS Information on PEMAP has been mailed to a major segment of the Nation's 11,000 summer camps, and enrollments are coming in daily. The limited duration of the summer camps necessitates several changes in the nature and procedure of the program. 1. Projects to be undertaken must be those which can be completed within a short period of time. 2. Presentation of awards must follow a different format. When a camp enrolls, instructions for procedure and five certificates (4 Merit, 1 Excellence) are mailed to the camp director. The director is asked to form the Awards Panel with the assistance of park superintendent, forestry officials and others administering camp grounds. The Awards Panel will supervise the inscription of recipients names on the certificates, and will work together toward arranging a suitable awards ceremony. Application forms for the awards for the project will be properly completed and forwarded to PEMAP headquarters in Washington, together with the names of recipients for our records. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM PROCEDURE 1. In late August the 1972-73 school term mailing will go out to 110,000 schools, including elementary, junior and senior high schools. Enclosed will be: Program brochure Ideas and resource references Poster Enrollment card Covering letters: William D. Ruckelshaus, Administrator Environmental Protection Agency S. P. Marland, Jr. U. S. Commissioner of Education This mailing will also be sent to all Regional Adminis- trators and Public Affairs Directors, as will all PEMAP mailings. 2. All Schools responding by enrolling will be entered in our data bank, listed by number, name and address, (city, State and zip code), school contact and nature of project. This information will be immediately available to all Regions from the computer terminals being installed in Regional headquarters. 3. The second mailing will go only to schools that have enrolled by October. It will be a bulletin which will include project ideas, photographs of school projects, guidelines, information of general interest on environmental subjects. It will also include an interim report form from the school to PEMAP. Bulletins will be mailed out in October, December, February and April, and we expect to have school reports in November, January and March. These should provide interesting and informative material for the bulletins. Student letters will be solicited and we hope each Region will make a con- tribution not to exceed one page double spaced. Suggested name for bulletin: LIFE PASS IT ON. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - 2 - 4. Duplicate forms for award applications will be mailed to all participating schools as follows: December - applications for semester ending in February March - Applications for semester ending in May - June Deadline for return of completed applications: February semester - January 1st May - June semester - April 25th 5. Award applications are to be made in duplicate accompanied by a list (also in duplicate) of the full names and addresses of all students eligible for awards. The originals will be for our files, the duplicates will be mailed to the Regional Administrator or his designee. 6. Applications for Merit and Excellence Awards will be evaluated at National headquarters of PEMAP. In this process we shall hope to have close support and cooperation from the Regional offices. 7. After a determination of the awards and their preparation (inscribing names of the recipients and date), the certificates will be forwarded to the Regional Administrators for presenta- tion to students in the Region. 8. The Environmental Protection Agency will provide Congress- men and Senators with print-outs listing the schools whose students are receiving awards in their Districts and states, also the names and addresses of the students. 9. Cooperation and counsel from Regional offices will be an important assist to local Awards Panels in helping arrange suitable awards ceremonies. This could include: Recommendations of Regional personnel to participate; Assistance in securing well known personalities to take part and thus focus attention and attract press coverage. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - 3 - Inclusion when possible of leadership from the EPA in Washington. 10. Names of all Regional Administrators and addresses of Regional headquarters will be given in the new brochures of PEMAP. Knowledge of Regional problems and the best approach to their solutions will be of invaluable assistance to a group of young people embarking on a project to improve the environment. Regional headquarters, by providing guidance and counsel in this area, can contribute greatly to success in this program. Within your Regions the states also have environmental officials with similar expertise. Their names and addresses will also be provided enrolling schools for assistance. Together we can bring real dimension to the words "Life Pass It On", and the work it seeks to advance. 11. If each Regional Admministrator will designate one staff member as our contact for PEMAP, time, duplication and correspondence can be minimal. The enclosed form, when completed, will establish our line of communication. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - 4 - Region (number) Headquarters Address: Appointee for PEMAP Telephone ( ) area code Signed: Regional Administrator Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Dear Principal: President Nixon's deep commitment to the restoration and preservation of our environment has been warmly embraced by the American people, and has won the whole- hearted, bipartisan support of Congress. The crusade to protect our natural inheritance has captured the imagination of young people particularly. To them, and to their own children in the years ahead, it is truly a matter of life, itself. Since December of 1970, when the President created the Environmental Protection Agency, we literally have been swamped with letters from high school students who want to "do something." The President initiated his Merit Awards Program in November 1971 to give them that opportunity. Response to the Program has been enthusiastic and completion of projects of outstanding merit by high school students has resulted in a broadening of participation to include junior hign school and elementary schools. To enroll, fill out the enclosed form (Please Print or Type), or notify us by letter by December 1, 1972. Be sure to include the name, address, and telephone number of the faculty member who will head the program for your school. I look forward to a communication from you enrolling your school in this constructive, united effort to improve the quality of life. Sincerely yours, William D. Ruckelshaus Administrator Enclosure Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Office of Education Washington, D.C. 20202 Dear School Principal: The Office of Education is delighted to endorse the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program in the nation's schools. Administration of this program by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also to be warmly welcomed as an important example of coordination in the Federal Government's effort to preserve and protect our threatened environment. As U.S. Commissioner of Education, I am especially enthusi- asti- about this effort because it meshes SO well with our new nvironmental Education Program which, like EPA, came into being less than a year ago. The four essential elements of the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program as set forth in the manual--environmental planning, preservation, control and restoration--are clearly consistent with the range of activities called for by the Environmental Education Act of 1970. More importantly, they provide the schools with not only an opportunity to imbue every subject in the school curriculum with an environmental orientation but also to encourage students to use their own communities as living laboratories. We see an excellent chance to enable students to initiate, organize, and carry out their own service pro- jects. We have a strong vehicle to motivate constructive student participation in their schools and communities. It is this creative approach, instead of merely encouraging new "add-on" courses about the environment, that is essential if our effort is to have impact. I am therefore encouraged in my belief that we are working together successfully toward an objective which President Nixon has described in these words: "The building of a better environment will require in the long term a citizenry that is both deeply concerned and fully informed. Thus, I believe that our education system, at all levels, has a critical role to play." Sincerely, S. P. Marland, Jr. U.S. Commissioner of Education Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum From: North W. Reed, Jr., SPecial Assistant to the National Coordinator SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM PEMAP On March 10, 1972, Administrator Ruckelshaus announced that summer camps would be eligibie to participate in the PEMAP. The summer camping season is roughly from June 15 through August 15. This may vary, with bi-weekly periods, or to one month sessions, or other combinations. There are approximately 11,000 summer camps in the United States, with attendance approximating 11,000,000 children of all ages. The average camp is estimated to have approximately 150 campers. Because of the proximity to nature of the average camp, things environmental are a natural outlet for camper energy. For this reason, it is estimated by the camping people that for each 150 child camp, approximately 40 will be eligible for a PEMAP award. In the overall plan for camp contact, Phase I will consist of preliminary media and camp house organ coverage. This has been accomplished already by the American Camping Association in a joint press release with EPA April 5, 1972. A similar release is planned by the Association of Private Camps, a sister, though rival, of the American Camping Association. Direct mailing will be made to the Camp Directors of the above two associations. The Youth Conservation Corp. Camp Directors are also being contacted. These groups are furnishing malling lists for our use. Direct contact will also be made with state environmental education offices, and each state recreation department will be SUMMER CAMP PROG. directly contacted to obtain mailing lists of any camps they have under their jurisdiction. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, etc., will contact their constituencies directly through their national headquarters. F Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Phase II will be the activities and awards phase, and should end between August 15th and September 1st. It is planned to have the camps submit their applications as soon as they possibly can owing to the short summer time base. Appli- cation forms will be mailed to them when their letter of intent to join the program is received. Projects, will, by necessity, be of short duration, so we will stand ready to get the awards certificates to them as soon as the awards applications are re- ceived. We must make every effort to see that the certificates are on hand for presentation to the child at camp. It has been suggested by the camping people, and I would favor sending a supply of award certificates at the same time the applications are mailed, so there will be less chance of a disappointed chi." It is hoped that appropriate arm patches will accompany the camper awards. Since the PEMAP school program had a White House ceremony in the Rose Garden, I strongly recommend that a similar ceremony be held at the conclusion of the camping season. We could send special criteria to the camps for use in determining these recipients such "special criteria" always are difficult to formulate, however. In this connection, it might be possible to have regional presentations in areas where summer camps are in largest concentration, and have the White House Rose Garden recipients chosen from the regional award winners. It is at the regional and Rose Garden level that the President's Advisory Committee on the Environmental Merit Awards Program, under Miss Mary Belle Bloch, Chairman, could devise the "super" criteria and handle the regional and national ceremonies. The direct involvement of the President's Advisory Committee would effectuate their mandate in the executive order that: "The committee shall also select individuals or groups who deserve special recognition for accomplishments in the environ- mental area and confer appropriate environmental merit awards on behalf of the President. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum DISTRIBUTION OF WDR LETTER TO FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS: General Federation of Women's Clubs American Association of University Women Federation of Business & Professional Women's Clubs Common Cause Democratic National Committee Republican National Committee Women's Equity Action League National Organization for Women National Women's Party Federally Employed Women National Education Association National Nurses Association American Home Economics Association FALL PROGRAM G Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum As Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agancy, I am deeply aware that a vital part of our mission is the education of Americans for active involvement in efforts to clean up our environment. It is particularly important that today's young people share widely in the development of a new ethic leading toward environmental resboration and a more humane quality of life. As a step to channel the strengths, imagination, and energy of our youth into increasingly effective activities in behalf of this goal, President Nixon last October announced the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program, and assigned the HPAgto run it. After only seven months of operation the program has more than 2900 high schools enrolled. Forty-five hundred awards of Merit and Excellence have been granted, and the program is so successful that it has been expanded to include junior high schools, elementary schools and summer camps. Mailings to over 110,000 schools will go out in late August, and we expect a quantým jump in the number enrolling in September. The interest of youth in this modern challenge to civilization 13 already manifest. It will be encouraged Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum strengthened if it has active support of the community. This is where cívic groups can join in giving young people a sense of mission and belonging. Enclosed is a fact sheet with detailed information. We invite you to participate by encouraging the schools in your community to enroll and by maintaining a continuing interest. The Program's theme "Life. Pass It On" sums up the crucial importance of the work we can advance together. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 Date: May 18, 1972 FY '73 BUDGET Reply to Atin of: Gladys O'Donnell, Coordinator Subject: Tentative Budget President's Environmental Merit Awards Program To: Thomas Hart PEMAP is a nation-wide program to give recognition to all students whose interest in environment has resulted in active participation in programs to improve the quality of life. Schools covered by the program include: Elementary Junior High Schools Senior High Schools Summer Camp Programs The goal of the program is to encourage youth to assume responsibility in the problems of modern society, to become informed of their complexity and to develop initiative toward finding solutions; to build character and citizenship. I Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESIDENT'S ENVIRONMENTAL MERIT AWARDS PROGRAM TENTATIVE BUDGET Personnel: Director National Coordinator Deputy Camp Programs Coordinator Consultants Secretaries: Executive Data Processing Preparation of materials Travel Expense $ 70,000.00 Speakers, staff and Advisory Committee to present awards Printing - brochures - 75,000.00 bulletins, posters Radio - TV spots 60,000.00 General promotion Stationery & Office Supplies 8,000.00 Film for schools - Videotape 35,000.00 Equipment rental - 3,000.00 data processing Mailing Lists (Original mailing) 10,000.00 107,000 schools (3 Interim mailings: 6,000.00 January, March, May Summer Camp Program Mailing $5,000.00 Travel 7,500.00 Insignias 5,000.00 17,500.00 $284,500.00 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 June 21, 1972 OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR As Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, I am deeply aware that a vital part of our mission is the education of Americans for active involvement in efforts to clean up our environment. It is particularly important that today's young people share widely in the development of a new ethic leading toward environmental restoration and a more humane quality of life. As a step to channel the manifest strengths, imagination, and energy of our youth into increasingly effective activities in behalf of this goal, President Nixon last October announced the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program, and assigned the EPA to run it. After only seven months of operation, the program has more than 2600 high schools enrolled and has been so successful that it has now been expanded to junior high and elementary schools. On April 19, during Earth Week '72, Mrs. Julie Nixon Eisenhower presented the first certificates honoring work of environmental excellence to students from four schools repre- senting all areas of the Nation. I think the program's theme, "Life Pass It On," sums up in a few words the crucial importance of the work it seeks to advance. Because of your interest in youth and the environment, I am enclosing materials regarding the President's program, as well as some recent press releases on a variety of important issues. I would be interested in your comments on these activities in the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has operated since its establishment in 1970 on the premise that response to comment and criticism by citizens is the best way to develop and maintain a sound public policy; please do not hesitate to communicate with me about your environmental concerns. Sincerely yours, Wellus 2. Penkelshane William D. Ruckelshaus Administrator Enclosures I Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum TO: THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 13, 1972 MEMO FOR HOWARD COHEN FROM: Dick Fairbanks Part I have forwarded Bud Evans' recommendations for PEMAP candidates to Jim Barnes at EPA. Does it this & should He 4/13/72 done. mean we trank or it with Ray THE Barnes were Thanks Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 13, 1972 Dear Editor: The week of April 17-23 has been proclaimed by President Nixon as National Earth Week. In an effort to involve as many Americans as possible in a "conscious and sustained effort" to protect this earth we all share, the President has written to all the Governors to seek their support and to bring atten- tion to his Environmental Awards Program. I have enclosed a copy of the President's letter and a copy of the Proclamation for your information and use. With best wishes, Sincerely, Ken Ken W. W. Clawson Clawson Deputy Director of Communications Sent Colley to Press Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 1972 Office of the White House Press Secretary THE WHITE HOUSE TEXT OF A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT NIXON TO ALL THE GOVERNORS April 12, 1972 Dear Governor: Recently I proclaimed the week of April 17-23 as national "Earth Week," and I would like to ask your assistance in making that period an occasion for all citizens to work together on improving and restoring our environment. Surely there could be few issues of greater moment to America. As I observed in that proclamation, "The environmental awakening marks a new maturity in our attitudes toward the relationship of man to his surroundings. We have made a beginning in this new era of environmental enlightenment. But it is only a beginning. Every American and every citizen of the world must make a conscious and sustained effort if we are to succeed in protecting this earth which we all share." At the Federal level, we have made a strong and irreversible commitment to this cause, setting up new agencies within the government, greatly increasing our financial support, and asking for a very large package of new laws, as set forth most recently in my message to Congress of February 8, 1972. I am most anxious that we now secure passage of these 24 pieces of legislation, for we must have the proper tools if we are to succeed in this task. As you are aware, there is also a special need to enlist our young people in this effort. Their involvement will not only serve to renew our environment but should also be an important step in developing an informed and concerned citizenry. Last October I established the Environmental Merit Awards Program so that secondary school children could fulfill their deeply felt commitments; already, more than 2,500 high schools representing all 50 States have registered in this program. During this coming Earth Week, I hope you will impress upon the citizens of your State how important it is that they seek a better understanding of environmental needs and opportunities on a continuing basis. Certainly we will achieve the quality of life that we want only if we make each and every day a part of Earth Week. With best personal regards, Sincerely, RICHARD NIXON Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum OF THE PRESIDER UNITED THE OF TES Earth Week, 1972 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation For the Nation and for the world, there are few issues of greater moment than the quality of our environment. As civilizations have evolved, man has increasingly altered his world to accommodate his needs. Today, our immense technological expansion affects the earth more than at any earlier time. The air, water, and natural resources of the earth are not inexhaustible, yet we continue to make major and often contradictory demands on these resources. If man is to preserve the natural heritage upon which his survival and the quality of his life depend, he must make resolute choices and fix uncompromising priorities. The environmental awakening of recent years marks a new maturity in our attitudes toward the relationship of man to his surroundings. We have made a beginning, but it is only a beginning. Every American- and indeed, every citizen of the world-must endeavor by earnest and sustained effort to nurture this earth which we all share. NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD NIXON, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the period of April 17 through April 23, 1972, as Earth Week. I call upon appropriate officials of the Federal Government and of State and local governments to encourage an understanding of the purposes of Earth Week, to observe the week through appropriate cere- monies, and to give special attention to the educating of our citizens in the preservation and enrichment of our natural environment. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred ninety-sixth. Richard Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum UNITED STATES PROTECTION AGENCY UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON. D.C. 20460 April 14, 1972 Dear Program Director: The Environmental Protection Agency is very enthusiastic about the concept and continuing interest in Earth Week. Music sometimes carries a message on stronger wings than speech or writing. We thought you might be interested in this song which is a contribution to the ecology movement. We hope you will find it suitable for the occasion and possible enduring beyond the April Earth Week celebrations. Sincerely, J.n.Seatz Thomas N. Schroth Assistant Director for Communications Office of Public Affairs Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Cay 1695 (a) CLU 101-11'9 HEATZED УПСПЕТ 1881 LOBW 23 1008-042- 20843-1 323-380 83410R / BECEINED BA LINE S WEZENGE and to ADA NORK you then the guy youre UOY HAC- 12 2 warking with 37. this COMPLETED ML BELOBUED СУГ ТИЗМТИПО99А MiΓΓ CVFT OE (O I tell SEE you brevee СУГГ CODE\EXL S ЬНОИЕ ИО' Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ЛОП МЕВЕ amg CVTTED BA- AIRILED BA- 10: DE СѴГГ WEWOKVNDNW THE White House WASHINGTON CC Hallett "you had better start this now in Cohen's absence". I Dick Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum JQ- - PUT PEMAP MAILING, FICE, ETC, ALL TOGETHER with THIS REQUES THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 19, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR HOWARD COHEN When you return, I presume you will begin initiating a relatively extensive media follow-up VIA Balsdo ~ plan for the President's Environmental Merit Award Program. Colson thinks pictures of this event should be distributed to all youth organizations, campuses, etc. conservation groups; articles should be written on the subject and distributed for these national and regional youth publications and overall, make sure that we get the widest possible distribution and coverage of this event. Dick W. Richard Howard V art Petas 2160 Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum 4/19 THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 12, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: RICHARD HOWARD SUBJECT: President's Environmental Merit Award Program I spoke with James Barnes in the office of the EPA Administrator and he is preparing a report which will answer all of the questions you have given me, and some that I have made up on my own. He will inform me on Wednesday, about 3 o'clock, as to when we can expect the report. I have told him that Thursday is the deadline we should be shooting for. They have a problem in putting together the program for Wednesday, the 19th, and if we ask them to do the report, we will be taking away manpower necessary to complete that program. I will keep you informed of further developments. Howard He Cohen Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 19, 1972 OFFICE OF THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY THE WHITE HOUSE REMARKS OF WILLIAM D. RUCKELSHAUS, ADMINISTRATOR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND JULIE NIXON EISENHOWER AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE FIRST CERTIFICATES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE THE ROSE GARDEN AT 10:01 A.M. EST. MR. RUCKELSHAUS: Good morning. I am Bill Ruckelshaus, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and we are very pleased today to announce the first awards under the President's Environmental Merits Award Program. I think it is particularly fitting that these awards would be presented here in this beautiful setting here in the Rose Garden. As all of you know, just two years ago this week, the first Earth Week was inaugurated in this country, and this year the President has announced this week as National Earth Week. Recognizing the tremendous interest that young people of this country have had in environmental improvement, the President last October, announced the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. In that program, students all over the country have been participating and trying to develop projects that would merit the kind of award that these students are being presented today. The program itself has been enormously successful. We now have some 2,600 high schools all over the country participating. The awards today will be given to students from across the country, from Pennsylvania, from Illinois, Texas and California. And this really is just the first wave of participation in award-giving of these students, and we expect in the months and years to come that there will be many more just like it. I think that we are particularly honored to have the President's daughter today to participate and give these first awards. She herself has shown a good deal of interest and enthusiasm, as has youth all over this country, in the environment. Just a few months ago, we were in North Carolina dedicating one of the National Environmental Research Centers, and Julie Eisenhower participated in that. MORE Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum - 2 - Without any further ado, I would like to introduce Julie Eisenhower, who will present the awards. MRS. EISENHOWER: I think that it is fair to say that in many cases youth leads the way in our nation today, and I think particularly in the field of the environment that youth has led the way and set the tone for the entire nation. The Nixon Administration is committed to a program of earth renewal, and I believe we see its commitment in the great success and vigorous activity of the Environmental Protection Agency and Bill Ruckelshaus, who is here with us this morning. My father wants to enlist the efforts of all Americans in the field of the environment and one way that he thought he could recognize the efforts of young Americans and encourage their efforts was through the Presidential Environmental Awards Program. I have two exciting announcements today. The program has been so successful that it is now being extended to junior high and elementary schools. I think that is very fine and I am glad that the response has been so good. Then the second announcements is that there is now an Advisory Committee of Concerned Citizens, who will be helping my father to present the awards and to encourage participation through the nation. I would like now to present the awards individually to our representatives from the East, North, South and West of the Nation. First, from Oak Park, Illinois, Nancy Stockholm and John Rudzinski, and their Excellence award was for environmental education. And we have to give credit to the school, which is Oak Park-River Forest High School. Then, from Fort Worth, Texas, Frank Laux and "Red" Goldstein, an Excellence award for their successful paper collection and recycling project. And from Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Dorothy Kline and William Lash. Congratulations for your country-wide, low- cost tree planting project. 20,000 trees, that is terrific. And last, from Long Beach, California, Elizabeth Bell and Jeffrey Bentley. Congratulations for tree planting and environmental education, and also a recycling project. This projèct involved five Long Beach schools and they saved 19,000 trees. That is wonderful. The motto of the Environmental Merit Awards program is "Life -- Pass It On," and I just want to add that I am personally very honored to be able to present these awards, because you all are really passing on life, and you are living up to the motto. Congratulations. END (AT 10:09 A.M. EST.) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP April 12, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: RICHARD HOWARD SUBJECT: President's Environmental Merit Award Program I spoke with James Immes in the office of the EPA Administrator and he is preparing a report which will answer all of the questions you have given me, and some that I have made up on my own. He will inform me on Wednesday, about 3 o'clock, as to when we can expect the report. I have told him that Thursday is the deadline we should be shooting for. They have a problem in putting together the program for Wednesday, the 19th, and if we adk them to do the report, we will be taking away manpower necessary to complete that program. I will keep you informed of further developments. Howard A. Cohen Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP April 6. 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: DICK FAIRBANKS I forward the attached memorandum to you for appropriate action. I have told Bud that you will forward the names to the proper EPA parties. Howard A. Cohen ee: L.J. Evans, Jr. Doug Hallett Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP April 10. 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: L.J. EVANS, JR. I have sent the attached memorandum to Dick Fairbanks of the Domestic Council. He, as you know, works in the area of the environment. The PEMAP certificates, I think, are handled at the local level by designated high school officials. I have asked Dick Fairbanks to forward your request and the students names in your memorandum to the appropriate people at EPA. Howard A. Cohen CC - BaugiHullett Pash Fairbonks Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 10, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: L.J. EVANS, JR. I have sent the attached memorandum to Dick Fairbanks of the Domestic Council. He, as you know, works in the area of the environment. The PEMAP certificates, I think, are handled at the local level by designated high school officials. I have asked Dick Fairbanks to forward your request and the students names in your memorandum to the appropriate people at EPA. nile Thank Howard Bud Howard, He A. Cohen Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 6, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: DICK FAIRBANKS I forward the attached memorandum to you for appropriate action. I have told Bud that you will forward the names to the proper EPA parties. Howard Cohen CC: L.J. Evans, Jr. Doug Hallett Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum MEMORANDUM THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 5, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: DOUG HALLETT HOWARD COHEN SUBJECT: President's Environmental Program Two high school seniors at Fauquier High School in Warrenton, Virginia, whom I personally know, would be very appropriate candidates for the Environmental Awards Certificate from the President. These two students organized a club to increase the awareness of environmental problems in the area, and have sponsored, over the last two years, poster contests throughout the county, which have increased student involvement and environmental protection projects. They also organized contests for younger students who would write anti-pollution songs and developed a program where seniors from high schod went into the lower grades for hour discussions on the environment, to increase the younger students' awareness of the problems affecting the environment. I think it would be worthwhile forwarding their names to whoever is compiling the list of students who should receive the Environmental Award. Their names are : David Mutchler Montedaro Farm Warrenton, Virginia Undy Baker Warrenton, Virginia 22186 Thanks. Bud L.J. Evans, Jr. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 1972 Office of the White House Press Secretary THE WHITE HOUSE TEXT OF A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT NIXON TO ALL THE GOVERNORS April 12, 1972 Dear Governor: Recently I proclaimed the week of April 17-23 as national "Earth Week," and I would like to ask your assistance in making that period an occasion for all citizens to work together on improving and restoring our environment. Surely there could be few issues of greater moment to America. As I observed in that proclamation, "The environmental awakening marks a new maturity in our attitudes toward the relationship of man to his surroundings. We have made a beginning in this new era of environmental enlightenment. But it is only a beginning. Every American and every citizen of the world must make a conscious and sustained effort if we are to succeed in protecting this earth which we all share." At the Federal level, we have made a strong and irreversible commitment to this cause, setting up new agencies within the government, greatly increasing our financial support, and asking for a very large package of new laws, as set forth most recently in my message to Congress of February 8, 1972. I am most anxious that we now secure passage of these 24 pieces of legislation, for we must have the proper tools if we are to succeed in this task. As you are aware, there is also a special need to enlist our young people in this effort. Their involvement will not only serve to renew our environment but should also be an important step in developing an informed and concerned citizenry. Last October I established the Environmental Merit Awards Program so that secondary school children could fulfill their deeply felt commitments; already, more than 2,500 high schools representing all 50 States have registered in this program. During this coming Earth Week, I hope you will impress upon the citizens of your State how important it is that they seek a better understanding of environmental needs and opportunities on a continuing basis. Certainly we will achieve the quality of life that we want only if we make each and every day a part of Earth Week. With best personal regards, Sincerely, RICHARD NIXON ****** Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESERVATION COPY Thue President Off the United States Presents This Award of Excellence To for outstanding achievement in environmental protection services. The White House Washington, D.C. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON June 26, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR HOWARD COHEN We are still waiting for your report on the Environmental Awards program. This is something that both Colson and I have asked you for nearly 100 times and have since re- ceived no reply. We keep getting rumors from people like Gergen that out of the whole program we've only gotten 100 interested replies and if the reason you are not reporting this program to us is because it's been such a failure, let's cancel that out as a reason and get the truth into us so we know what to do now. Consider this HIGH PRIORITY and get it down here no later than Wednesday. Dick- W. Richard Howard Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP July 11, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: CHARLES W. COLSON FROM: HOWARD A. COHEN SUBJECT: Status of President's Environmental Merit Awards Program (PEMAP) HISTORY: -- The President's Environmental Merit Awards Program was created by Executive Order on October 25, 1971. -- Informational brochures were mailed to 25,000 high schools in November concerning the program. Of these 25,000, 2,800 responses were received. -- The first bulletin from the Environmental Protection Agency was transmitted to enrolled high schools early in January, 1972. -- Responding to the obvious lack of participation, William D. Ruckelshaus expanded PEMAP to include summer camps as of March 10, 1972. -- The first Merit Awards were presented at a White House ceremony by Ms. Julie Nixon Eisenhower on April 19, 1972, (remarks attached). At that time, It was announced that the program was again expanding to include not only high schools and summer camps, but also junior highs and elementary schools (Tab A). The President also established a 13 member Advisory Committee on the Environmental Merit Awards Program on April 19, 1972, (Tab B). -- On April 26, your office coordinated a mailing with EPA (Tab I), which, if accomplished in a timely fashion, might have stimulated awareness of both PEMAP and also this Administration's environmental actions. The mailing was not sent until June 21. The materials were directed to 2,700 schools, 1, 942 campus press, and 605 campus radio stations, but were 8 weeks later than the PEMAP ceremony. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum -- In May and June, 1972, 4,600 awards of merit and excellence were presented to students and schoold. Total enrollment last semester was 2, 900 high schools (Tab C). To date, 355 summer camps have enrolled. PROBLEM: The media coverage of PEMAP since its conception in October has been relatively sparse (Tab D). Poor media management and planning are possible reasons why visibility of this worthy program was minimal. SUGGESTED REMEDIES: Reportedly, 115,000 high, junior high, and elementary schools will be enrolled in 1973 in addition to 11,000 summer camps. To adequately plan awards ceremonies, media coverage and managing staff, the PEMAP has prepared a timetable (Tab E) for both summer camp active- ties (Tab F) and next years school program (Tab G). Requested, of course, is an increased budget and more staff (Tab H). Initially, President Nixon's signature did not appear on the PEMAP awards. To direct attention to the President's personal involvement with this program, the awards are now personally signed by the President. Public awareness of environmental action could be stimulated by the presentation of a certificate and picture of RN to each school which participates in PEMAP. These suitable-for-framing certificates would remind the pupils, teachers, and parents of the President's involvement with the environmental cause. Because PEMAP received dittle press coverage, few of the target participants are aware of the expansion of the Merit Awards Program. Prior to the opening of school, possibly in the latter part of August, a press release should remind the public of our statistical accomplishments, the program's expansion, and the President's legislative initiatives. Public visibility of the President's concern for the environment is a vital part of the public's perception of the President, particularly among young people and relatively affluent suburbanites. PEMAP, if effectively and efficiently operated, could and should help provide that visibility. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON April 19, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR HOWARD COHEN When you return, I presume you will begin initiating a relatively extensive media follow-up plan for the President's Environmental Merit Award Program. Colson thinks pictures of this event should be distributed to all youth organizations, campuses, etc. conservation groups; articles should be written on the subject and distributed for these national and regional youth publications and overall, make sure that we get the widest possible distribution and coverage of this event. Dick W. Richard Howard tile Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum 4/19 THE WHITE HOUSE PEMAP WASHINGTON April 12, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: RICHARD HOWARD SUBJECT: President's Environmental Merit Award Program I spoke with James Barnes in the office of the EPA Administrator and he is preparing a report which will answer all of the questions you have given me, and some that I have made up on my own. He will inform me on Wednesday, about 3 o'clock, as to when we can expect the report. I have told him that Thursday is the deadline we should be shooting for. They have a problem in putting together the program for Wednesday, the 19th, and if we ask them to do the report, we will be taking away manpower necessary to complete that program. I will keep you informed of further developments. Howard He Cohen Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum ARCHIVIST NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS PROJECT AUDIOVISUAL COLLECTION WITHDRAWAL RECORD DATE 4/5/90 MEDIUM/CATEGORY (CHECK ONE) CONTROL NUMBER ITEM NUMBER MOTION PICTURE FILM SOUND RECORDING ORIGINAL ITEM LOCATION STILL PHOTOGRAPH VIDEO RECORDING FILE GROUP WHCF: SMOF Howard Cohen ITEM DESCRIPTION SUBGROUP CONTAINER NUMBER 13x9 B Youth 4 Black+ white SERIES FOLDER TITLE PEMAP [President's Environmental Merit Awards Program) SUPPLEMENTAL DATA - PROVIDE WHATEVER INFORMATION IS KNOWN ABOUT THE ITEM TITLE/EVENT PARTICIPANTS (INDICATE PERSONS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) PEMAP A Recipients with Dulie Eiserhower GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF EVENT RoseGarden- White House DATE OF EVENT OTHER IDENTIFYING MARKS ON ITEM CLASSIFICATION (CIRCLE ONE) U C S TS SCI OTHER PRESERVATION madeCopy FILING INSTRUCTIONS: In the initial place within the file folder from whence item was removed, place original Audiovisual Withdrawal Record and an electrostatic copy of the removed item. An electrostatic copy of the Withdrawal Record and the original photograph should then be inserted into an appropriate size pH 8.5 envelope. Label the envelope in upper left-hand corner with both the control number and the item number, as for example: [PA 78-2-3/1]. and then turn the envelope over to the audiovisual staff for further processing or archival storage. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NLN Form 350 (rev. 3-86) Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESERVATION COPY - at non - d Dichard Niven Prosidential ibrary and Museum June 8, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR DAVE GERGEN FROM: Richard M. Fairbanks Attached is a draft Presidential letter to the 158 high schools who have thus far requested award certificates under the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. I would suggest in working on the draft that you make more explicit reference to the leader- ship exhibited by these particular schools in pushing both the program and youth activism in the environment. For your information, the Colson operation is planning to generate Presidential plaques for these schools in the late summer to be displayed in the fall. With the school term drawing to a close, I concur with the EPA suggestion that we try to have this in the mail by the first of next week. Attachments ec: Howard Cohen Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PEMAP THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON February 23, 1972 MEMORANDUM FOR: CHUCK COLSON FROM: JAMIE McLANE price SUBJECT: President's Environmental Merit Awards Program Attached for your information are the awards to be presented for the President's Environmental Merit Awards Program. The first awards will be presented in March. I turned this effort over to Dick Fairbanks, in John Whitaker's office, if you have any further questions. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum PRESERVATION COPY The President Off the United States Presents This Certificate of Merit To for service to the community and the nation through environmental protection achievement. The White House Washington, D.C. Reproduced at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

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PEMAP [President's Environmental Merit Awards Program] [1972]

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collections	White House Staff Member and Office Files (Nixon Administration) Howard A. Cohen's Files
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