xvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office Of Water
(4204)
EPA 832-B-98-001
January 1998
Nomination Guidance
1998 Beneficial Use Of
Biosolids Awards Program:
For Operating Projects,
Technology Development,
Research, And
Public Acceptance
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INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to
announce the 1998 Beneficial Use of Biosolids Awards Program. This is the
eleventh anniversary of this highly successful program that recognizes
outstanding operating projects, research studies, technological advances, and
public acceptance activities which promote the beneficial use of municipal
biosolids. EPA encourages your submission of nominations.
This program is being announced on the Internet and in publications and
bulletins. The very process of preparing a nomination package has considerable
benefit. It helps preparers focus on the relevance of their efforts and facilitates
the spread of knowledge about excellence of nominated activities so that others
might benefit. Transfer of information about all nominated activities is very
important; so, please do not miss the opportunity for submitting your
nomination.
EPA continues to encourage states and regions to have local Beneficial Use of
Biosolids Awards Programs. These local programs increase the opportunity for
recognition, promote public understanding of biosolids recycling at the local
level, and emphasize the benefits and sound science behind use. Water
Environment Federation (WEF) Member Associations, the National Biosolids
Partnership, and Regional Biosolids Management Associations will be
encouraging nominations in this year's awards program. This expanded program
significantly increases the number of deserving projects that receive recognition,
and simultaneously helps achieve the goal of making the use of biosolids
publicly acceptable by the year 2000.
This pamphlet describes the awards program in detail and provides guidance for
preparing and submitting nominations. Please note that you need to send your
nominations to the EPA's Regional Offices by the deadlines specified in this
document so that your outstanding efforts can be considered by both our
Regional and National competitions. The National awards will be presented in
October 1998 at the Annual WEF Conference and Exposition (WEFTEC) in
Orlando, Florida.
Sincerely,
Michael J. guigley
Director, Municipal Sbp'port Division
Office of Wastewater Management
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NOMINATION GUIDANCE
for the
1998 BENEFICIAL USE OF BIOSOLIDS
AWARDS PROGRAM
OMB Control # 2040-0101
Expires 12-31-00
OMB NOTICE
Interested respondents may express their concerns regarding this nomination guidance. The
respondents' burden for this collection of information is estimated to average eight hours per
response. The collection burden includes the time for the respondent to review instructions, search
existing data sources, gather and present the data needed, and complete and review the collection of
information. EPA's burden is estimated to average six hours to review the responses.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including suggestions for reducing the burden: to the Regulatory Information Division (2137), US
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20460; and to Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the awards program is to recognize significant contributions in
the development and implementation of cost-effective, environmentally safe and
publicly acceptable biosolids beneficial use practices which recycle nutrients,
improve soil conditions, or otherwise conserve valuable natural resources. This
excellence awards program helps EPA achieve its goal of promoting, collecting
and disseminating information pertaining to the beneficial use of biosolids as
authorized and encouraged under Section 405 (g) of the Clean Water Act.
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AWARD CATEGORIES
Nominations will be accepted for recognition of excellence in a wide range of
activities that have stimulated beneficial use of municipal biosolids. National
awards may be presented in the following categories:
o Operating Projects (large & small). Outstanding, full-scale, beneficial use
projects.
o Technology Development Activities. Significant technological improvements
that have been developed and fully proven at the operational level; these
may be pilot or full scale activities.
o Research Activities. Studies that have substantially contributed to an
improved understanding of biosolids beneficial use practices, improved
public acceptance, and/or advanced the technology.
o Public Acceptance Activities (municipal & others). Significant local,
regional, and national activities that have increased the acceptance by the
public of biosolids beneficial use practices.
NOMINATION AND AWARD INFORMATION
o Nominations for awards may be submitted by anyone including the nominee,
EPA Regions, States, WEF Member Associations, municipalities,
consultants, researchers, or other interested parties.
o Nominated entries may include both individuals and groups from private as
well as public organizations.
o As these Nomination packages are prepared, it is important to tell the story
about your biosolids beneficial use activity in a manner that clearly shows
the benefits and simultaneously reduces natural public concern. This
information can often be utilized locally for press releases, brochures and
other public acceptance purposes.
o Previous first place winning projects or activities will not be considered as
candidates for the same award category for a five-year period. However,
second place winners can reapply after a one year wait to try for first place in
the same award category. Unsuccessful nominees for awards may
immediately apply again for an award the very next year. Persistence has
paid -off for many nominees that have won awards after submitting an
improved application in subsequent years.
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Check with your Regional EPA office for any details about a possible local
awards competition in your state.
For consideration in the National Awards Program, completed nomination
packages (see specified format pages 6 & 7) must be received in duplicate by
the EPA Region in which your primary office is located (pages 9 & 10).
The tentative Regional deadlines for receipt of nominations are shown on
page 9. Important-Please check with your Regional Office contact (page 10)
for any Region-specific nomination guidance and for that Region's final
submission deadline.
Entries will be considered for State and Regional Awards (where applicable)
as well as National awards. Regions will forward one copy of each qualified
Nomination package to EPA Headquarters by the June 5, 1998, National
deadline.
Nomination packages (received for the National competition) will be
reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from EPA, WEF, and other
groups against the evaluation criteria (see pages 4 & 5) during June 1998.
State and EPA Regional offices (where applicable) will also review the
nominations for a separate competition in their Region. Because the
National and Regional award programs involve separate review panels and
because all qualified entries may be considered in both competitions, it is
possible that winners in the National award program may differ from the
Regional award winners.
Nominated activities may sometimes be chosen for special recognition
rather than a categorical award.
National award recipients will be notified by approximately July 24,1998.
National awards consisting of a certificate and plaque will be presented in
October 1998 at WEF's Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. Because of
budgetary limitations, EPA will be unable to pay for travel to the awards
program. Alternate provisions will be made to present awards to those
unable to attend the National ceremony in October.
Short articles describing National award winning beneficial use activities will
be developed by EPA and WEF for publication in WEF's Operations Forum.
Subsequent publications describing those Regional as well as National
activities will be encouraged. Photographs prints (not facsimilie copies) and
key facts about both winning and non winning entries are very useful in EPA
publications that encourage beneficial biosolids recycling.
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EVALUATION CRITERIA
The beneficial biosolids use award candidates will be evaluated against the
following criteria.
FOR OPERATING PROJECTS Two Categories: Persons treating and/or applying
biosolids in an amount equivalent to those generated in (1) <5 MGD and (2) >5 MGD
facilities. If the facility only processes biosolids, then the two categories are (1) < 5
dry tons per day PTPD] and (2) > 5 DTPD. (Note: Categorization is based on the
actual daily volumes processed, not the design size of the operation.)
o Significant recycling/reuse of natural resources (e.g., nutrients, organic
matter, and energy).
o Sustained (several years), full-scale, proven operation.
o Consistent, cost-effective operation.
o Public acceptance.
o Compliant with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
o Excellence in project management.
o Land appliers should also indicate use of such criteria as nutrient
management plans, crop optimization, etc.
FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION OR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
o Sustained excellence in advancing our knowledge of technologies that
recycle biosolids (e.g., improved design criteria or operational practice).
o National application -- technology that has potential for use in many other
areas across the country.
o Operationally proven.
o Resolved previous biosolids management or utilization problems.
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FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
o Greater public acceptability of biosolids recycling.
o Greatly improve our understanding of the environmental effects associated
with beneficial use of biosolids.
o Substantial contribution toward the development of improved technological
design and operation.
o Key information generated for the development of improved sludge biosolids
regulations and guidance.
FOR PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE [Two Categories: (1) Municipalities (2) All Others]
o Demonstrated increases in both public acceptance and public demand
(meeting WEF Biosolids 2000 goal). The term "public" is meant to include
regulatory agencies, agricultural organizations, water quality professionals,
public health officials, environmentalists, academic institutions, and the
news media as well as the general public. Indicators of "demand" include
such factors as waiting lists and users paying for biosolids.
o Characterized by dedicated and successful individual and team efforts.
o Demonstrated willingness to share information and approaches for gaining
public acceptance.
o Proactive successful approaches for working the press and other groups
explaining the benefits of biosolids use, cultivating and gaining allies, and
educating against unfounded alarmist stories that may arise.
o Excellence in local information transfer and training efforts that have made a
positive local difference, (e.g., on-site demonstrations and collaborative
efforts involving the involvement of municipalities, citizens, universities, and
others).
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NOMINATION FORMAT
The information described in the Nomination Format should be supplied in the
nomination package. The completeness of information provided and the manner in
which the nomination addresses the Evaluation Criteria in both the Executive
Summary and the text is especially important.
All nominations must be submitted in duplicate in the following format to the
appropriate EPA Regional Office (see pages 9 & 10).
1. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION (See sample front page form on page 8)
Name, address, affiliation, telephone number, NPDES number (if applicable),
and the spokesperson for the project or activity. Please also indicate the
applicable government officials that you would like notified should your
entry win an award (see form on page 8).
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (2 pages or less)
Describe the project or activity indicating the award category for which the
nomination is proposed and how it meets the evaluation criteria.
3. FACILITY/ACTIVITY INFORMATION (4-5 pages)
Provide the following relevant information, if applicable, to adequately
support the nomination.
(a) Biosolids type, quantity (expressed as dry solids used per day, week
or year), quality (nutrient and pollutant concentrations compared with
Part 503 Table 3 pollutant concentration limits), processing
information, and other details relevant to the beneficial use practice or
activity. Be specific regarding the unit processes, including biosolids
production and processing details. Account for the types and
amounts of biosolids going to each beneficial use practice (and
disposal practice - if any).
(b) Duration and size of the project or activity; extent of ability to operate
at design level; and cost and effectiveness information.
(c) Describe the project monitoring program as it determines compliance,
keeps the public informed of biosolids transport and use, evaluates
performance, and helps modify practices.
(d) Describe the contributions of the cooperating parties to the beneficial
use project or activity.
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(e) Provide sufficient information so that the awards judges can determine
the compliance of nominated projects with applicable local, State, and
Federal regulations.
(f) Describe important project management activities that maintain and
promote excellence and maximize the benefits of biosolids use, (e.g.,
hold down costs; improve biosolids quality; use a written code of good
practice or other means to promote compliance with rules, manage
nutrients and minimize odors and other nuisances; and promote
acceptance via working with allies, press and the public).
(g) Describe training activities which have improved operations,
performance, and public acceptance.
(h) Describe the effectiveness of the local pretreatment program that has
resulted in better quality and easier use of biosolids.
(i) Describe special innovative practices or activities.
(j) Discuss how obstacles (technical, political, public acceptance, or other)
have been overcome as a result of the nominated activity.
(k) Give evidence of the enhanced benefits that have resulted from the
activity such as lower costs for biosolids management, lower energy
consumption, payments for biosolids by users, enhanced soil
properties, better crop productivity and quality, enhanced plant disease
resistance, lower human health risks, greater National adoption of
practice, and improved public acceptance and demand for biosolids
products.
4. ATTACHMENTS
Supporting materials may be attached. The attachment should include a short
cover index page that lists the various supporting materials and gives about a
4- to 6-line description of each item.
Photographs of the activity are strongly encouraged. Please provide the
actual photographic prints rather than facsimile copies of prints, since only
the prints are suitable for printing in publications. EPA and others would like
to use your prints in publications that promote beneficial use of biosolids and
provide greater recognition of your activity.
Note: Sheer bulk of information is not desirable. Be concise and attach items
that truly substantiate the importance and relevance of the beneficial use
project or activity. Please do not send materials that you wish to have sent
back because application materials are not returned.
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SAMPLE FRONT PAGE (1998 Biosolids Beneficial Use Awards Program)
I. Proposed Award Category
II. Facility Identification Name
a) Official Name and Address of Award Entity to be Engraved on Plaque
and Certificate
b) Type of Ownership
(e.g., corporate, private or public, university, etc.)
Zip Codes of Service Area
(used to notify US Representatives)
c) Contact Person Regarding the Nomination
Their Title, Address, Telephone No.
III. Award Notification
a) Name, Organizational Title, Address and Telephone No. of Local
Official (e.g., Mayor, Authority Board President, Corporate
President, Department Chairman, etc.):
b) Federal and State Political Notifications
US Senators & Representatives (list names only)
State Governor's Name & Address
c) Other
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TENTATIVE REGIONAL DEADLINES FOR NOMINATIONS
EPA Tentative *
Region Deadline Dates States
1 05-22-98 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
2 03-13-98 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
3 05-22-98 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
4 05-22-98 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
5 05-22-98 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
Wisconsin
6 05-22-98 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
7 06-01-98 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
8 05-22-98 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Utah, Wyoming
9 05-22-98 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American
Samoa, Guam
10 05-22-98 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
* These deadline dates for receipt of award nomination packages are tentative.
Please check with your Regional Office for verification.
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EPA REGIONAL CONTACT: (See List of States in Each Region, Page 9)
Region
Address
Contact
Telephone
10
EPA Municipal Assistance Unit
One Congress Street, (SPN)
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
Charles Conway
Div of Enf & Compliance Assistance Alia Roufaeal
290 Broadway, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10007-1866
EPA Water Protection Division Jim Kern
841 Chestnut Street (3WP23)
Philadelphia, PA 19107
EPA Water Management Division Jim Adcock
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth St, SW
Atlanta, GA 3033-8909
EPA Water Division (WN-16J) John Colletti
77 West Jackson
Chicago, IL 60604
Outreach Team, Customer Svc Br Ellen Caldwell
Water Quality Protection Div (6WQ-CO)
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202
EPA NPDES & Facilities
Management Branch
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
Biosolids Mgmt Program (P2-W-P)
999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2466
EPA Clean Water Act
Compliance Office (WTR7)
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
EPA NPDES Permits Unit (OW130)
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
For Additional Information Call
Carol Park of NBMA
Mike Turvey
Bob Brobst
Lauren Fondahl
Audrey Washington
617-565-3517
Fax:
617-565-4940
212-637-3864
Fax:
212-637-3953
215-566-5788
Fax:
215-566-2302
404-562-9248
Fax:
404-562-9224
312-886-6106
Fax:
312-886-7804
214-665-7513
Fax:
214-665-6490
913-551-7424
Fax:
913-551-7765
303-312-6129
Fax:
303-312-7084
415-744-1909
Fax:
415-744-1235
206-553-0523
Fax:
206-553-1280
206-684-1145
Also The Water Environment Federation
Contact: Attention: Technical & Educational Services
601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-2400
Fax:
703-684-2492
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PREVIOUS NATIONAL BENEFICIAL BIOSOLIDS USE AWARD WINNERS
Category
Winner [Activity]
AwarcT/Year
Operating City of Houston, TX [Heat Dry & Land Ap Lima Stab] 1st 1997
Projects Duckett Creek San Dist, St Charles, MO [Land Ap Aerobic Dig] 2nd 1997
(>SMGD) King County, WA WPC Div [Forest & Farm] 1st 1996
County San Distr of LA, CA [Diverse] 2nd 1996
City of Austin, TX, [Multiple Uses] 1st 1995
Tacoma Utilities Services, WA [Land Ap, TAGRO Soil Mix] 2nd 1995
City of Los Angeles, CA [Multiple Uses] 1st 1994
City of Columbus, OH [Multiple Uses] 2nd 1994
Clayton Co, Water Authority, GA [Heat Dry, Comp.] 1st 1993
City of Austin Water 4 WW Util, TX [Co/np, ,4/r Or] 2nd 1993
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Util. Dist., NC[LandAp] 1st 1992
Truckee Meadows Water Reclaim, Dist., CA {Land Ap] 2nd 1992
City of Omaha, NE [Land Appl.] 1st 1991
Miami-Dade, FL [Air Dry, Composting, Marketing] 2nd 1991
Vallejo San. & Flood Control Dist., CA [Land Ap] 1st 1990
Cape May County Mun. Util. Auth., NJ [Composting] 2nd 1990
Hampton Roads, VA [Nutragreen - Land Ap., Comp.] 1st 1989
Clayton Co., GA [Comp, Heat Dry, Tree Prod.] tie 2nd1989
Pima County, AZ [Land Application] tie 2nd1989
Seattle Metro, WA [Forest & Ag. Land Use] 1st 1988
San. Dist of Los Angeles Co., CA [Composting] 2nd 1988
Operating Univ. Joint Auth., State College, PA [Composting] 1st 1997
Projects Summerville, SC [Liquid Land App] 2nd 1997
(<5 MGD) Newton, IA WPC Facility [Anaerob Land App] 1st 1996
Port Townsend, WA Biosolids Composting Facility 2nd 1996
Elizabethton, TN [Co-composting] 1st 1995
Chippewa Falls, VI\[Land Ap by Injection] 2nd 1995
Cumberland County Util Auth, tiJ[LandAp] 1st 1994
City of New Smyrna Beach, PL. [Land Ap] 2nd 1994
Lafayette Wastewater Trtment Plant, GA [Land Ap] 1st 1993
Chillicothe Munic Util WW Tmt Pit, MO [Liq Land Ap] 2nd 1993
The City of St. Peters, MO [Land Appl.] 1st 1992
The Sussex Co. Mun. Util. Auth., NJ [In-Vess, Comp] 2nd 1992
Alpena, Ml [Revegetate Industrial Waste Site] 1st 1991
Blackfoot, ID [Land Appl., Outreach] 2nd 1991
Hannibal, MO, Bd of Pub. Works [Econ Land Ap] 1st 1990
Redwood San. Sewer Service Dist., CA [Co-Compost] 2nd 1990
Technology King County, WA WPC Div [Forest Bios App System] 1st 1996
Development WSSC Montgomery Co., MD Regional Compost. Fac.
[Scrubber and Mixing Advances/Comp. Odor Com] 1st 1992
City of Lancaster, PA [Composting Odor Cont.] 2nd 1992
N-Viro [Alkaline Stabilization of Sludge], OH 1st 1990
WSSC Montgomery Co., MD Regional Compost. Fac.
[Thermal Odor Control} 2nd 1990
Austin, TX [Accelerated Air Drying] 1st 1989
WSSC Montgomery Co. MD, Regional Compost. Fac.
[Chemical Odor Control] 1st 1988
Sussex Co., NJ [Compost Odor & Process Control] 2nd 1988
(continued on next page)
'1st and 2nd place awards are not always given
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PREVIOUS NATIONAL BENEFICIAL BIOSOLIDS USE AWARD WINNERS (cont.)
Category
Winner [Activity]
AwarcP/Year
Research City of Phila.Water Dept, PA [Camp Opns & VOC's] 1st 1995
Activities Dr. Terry Logan, Ohio State Univ, OH 1st 1994
Rocky Mt. Forest & Range Exp Sta, NM 2nd 1994
Los Angeles County San Dist, CA [Comp Odor/VOC] 1st 1993
Drs. Al Page & Andrew Chang, Univ of CA, Riv. 1st 1991
Dr. Paul Giordano, Tenn Valley Authority, AL 2nd 1991
Dr. Rufus Chaney, US Dept. of Agriculture, MD 1st 1990
Dr. Michael Overcash, NC State University 2nd 1990
Univ. of MN, USDA Research Team 1st 1989
W124/W170 Regional Research Comm., USDA, CSRS 1st 1988
Allentown, PA/Penn State U, Palmerton [Reveg] 2nd 1988
Public Cartersville, GA [Municipal 1st 1997
Acceptance Memphis, TN, TE Maxson WW Trt Pit [Municipal 1st 1996
City ofTacoma, VJA[Municipat\ 2nd 1996
New England Interstate WPC Commission [Other] 1st 1996
Rocky Mts. Water Environ Association [Other] 2nd 1996
Dr. Lee Jacobs, Mich State Univ., Ml [Other] 1st 1995
Special Springfiled, MA [Overcome Serious Odors/Acceptamce] 1997
Recognition Maine Compost Team, Augusta [Team Excellence] 1997
Mountains to Sound Greenway Biosolids Forestry
Program, WA [Stakeholders Use Biosolids Env Ben] 1996
Environ. Waste Recycling Inc., NC [Pub Acpt & Opns] 1996
Northwest Biosolids Mgmt Assoc, WA [Pub Acpt] 1994
Maine Waste Water Control Assoc, ME [Pub Acpt] 1994
Oyzboyd Environmental Svc, GA [Vert Bed Dewater] 1994
City of Tampa, FL Hookers Point WW Trt. Plant
[Optimizing Use of Digester Gas] 1992
Dr. Arthur E. Peterson, Dept of Soil Sci,
Madison, Wl [Sludge Research in W/\ 1992
The College of Forest Resources, Univ of WA
[Cooperative R&D, Appl to Forest Ecosystems] 1992
NutraLime, St. Paul, MN [fncin. Ash + Water
Treatment Sludge for Land Improvement] 1991
Metro. Water Reclam. Dist. of Greater Chicago
[Long Term Multiple Contrb. to Beneficial Use] 1991
BioGro Systems, Inc., MD [Sustained Service &
Enhanced Public Acceptance] 1990
City of Los Angeles, CA & Ag Tech Co., AZ [Public-
Private Team from Ocean Disp. to Ben Use] 1989
East Bay Municipal Utilities Dist., CA [Sustained
Contribution to Beneficial Use & Composting] 1989
Honorable Pole Bridge Creek San dist, Dekalb Co, GA [Land Ap] (OP) 1997
Mention City of Gastonia, NC [Land Ap] (OP) 1997
Letchworth Ave WWTP, Billericia, MA [Comp] (OP) 1997
Winston-Salem, NC, Archie Elledge WWTP [L A] (OP) 1996
Littleton/Englewood, CO WW Trt Pit [Dryland] (OP) 1996
Louisville, CO WW Trt Pit [Windrow Comp] (OP) 1996
Rochester Water Reclamation Plant, MN [Pub Acpt] 1996
Bloomington & Normal Water Rec Dist, IL [L AP] (OP) 1995
Knoxville, TN Util Bd [LandAp, Strip Mine] (OP) 1995
St Charles MO River Trt Fac, [Land Ap] (OP) 1995
City of Salem, OR [Land Ap] (OP) 1994
Reedy Creek Improv Auth, FL [Comp] (OP) 1994
Broward County, FL [Mkt & Product] (Res) 1994
Benton Harbor-St Joseph, Ml WW Trt Pit [L Ap] (OP) 1992
(continued on next page)
'1st and 2nd place awards are not always given
12
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Honorable Madison, WI, Metro-Gro [Land Use] (OP) 1988
Mention Lime Lakes, OH, PPG Corp. \Priv. Svc. Reclaim Alk Site] (OP) 1988
(cont.) Bowling Green, KY [Land Application] (OP) 1988
Hannibal, MO [Land Application] (OP) 1988
Fallbrook, CA [Verm/composting ] (TD) 1988
Ohio State Univ, Wooster, OH [Composting Biotech.] (Res) 1988
*1st and 2nd place awards are not always given
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