Lynn Scarlett Will Present Coastal America Award for Partnership that Gives Students Experience on Boston Harbor Research Vessel

11/3/2003

From: Joan Moody of the U.S. Department of the Interior, 202-208-6416; Julianna Wyman of FWS, 401-364-9124, ext. 38

News Advisory:

At the New England Aquarium on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will present an award to a public-private partnership that provides Boston high school students with research cruises. Scarlett will present the award to individuals working in the OSV (Ocean Survey Vessel) Anderson partnership on behalf of the 12 Coastal America federal partner agencies and the executive office of the president.

Coordinated by the Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New England Aquarium, the program gives high school students instruction aboard the OSV Anderson, an EPA research vessel. The students get hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment to study water quality and marine life in Boston Harbor. Instructors come from FWS, EPA, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Corporate Wetland Restoration Partners and others.

Coastal America is a partnership among federal, state and local governments and private alliances to address environmental problems along our coasts.

WHO: Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget, Dept. of the Interior; Bob Varney, Administrator, EPA Region 1; Bill Hubbard, Chief of the Environmental Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District and Northeast Chair for Coastal America; Ed Toomey, President, New England Aquarium

WHAT: Ceremony Presenting National Coastal America award to more than 30 individuals involved in OSV Anderson Partnership

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1 p.m.

WHERE: New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, Mass.