I am pleased to announce the 15 projects selected for the 2015 Environmental Excellence Awards. For 20 years, the biennial Environmental Excellence Awards have recognized partners, projects, and processes that exceed traditional environmental expectations for transportation projects to achieve excellence. As in past years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) presents awards to outstanding transportation initiatives that incorporate environmental stewardship and streamlining into transportation planning and project development.
The 2015 awardees represent some of the Nation's proudest achievements this year in protecting and enhancing the environment while also strengthening the transportation network. From pioneering innovative research to preserving our cultural and natural heritage, the projects highlighted in this program demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting environmental stewardship through transportation programs, plans, and initiatives.
This year's awards program features an expanded set of categories to recognize the importance of both the natural and human environment and how we think about the environment in project planning and development processes. As such, the 2015 Environmental Excellence Awards recognize projects in 14 categories within 3 topic areas: natural environment, human environment, and organization and process innovation.
We want to promote awareness of the successes that State and local agencies and individuals can achieve by incorporating environmental excellence into their everyday work. I extend my congratulations to this year's winners. On behalf of the FHWA, I commend you for your outstanding accomplishments and your commitment to environmental excellence.
Gregory G. Nadeau
Acting Administrator
July 9, 2015
