United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office Of Water
(4204)
EPA 832-B-97-002
January 1997
Nomination Guidance

1997 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 1997 Beneficial Use of Biosolids Awards Program. This is the
tenth 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. 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 submission of
nomination packages in the sometimes overlooked areas of technology
development and research.
Based on the many excellent submissions last year, EPA is subdividing the
Public Acceptance category into two areas: (i) municipal activities and (ii)
activities by other entities. EPA continues to encourage states and regions to
have local Beneficial Use of Biosolids Awards Program. 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 will be encouraging nominations in this years 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 submifting 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 wilt be presented in
October 1997 at the Annual WEF Conference and Exposition (WEFTEC) in
Chicago, Illinois.
Sincerely,
C- /
Michael J. dlgtey
Director, MUnicipal p Division
Office of Wastewater Management
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                NOMINATION  GUIDANCE
                                   for the
          1996 BENEFICIAL  USE OF  BIOSOLIDS
                      AWARDS PROGRAM
                           OMB Control # 2040-0101
                               Expires 10-31-97
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 Chief, Information Policy
Branch (2136), 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 technologies.
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, andlor 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 graups 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. In
addition, special award winners in 1996 will not be considered for public
acceptance awards for five years. 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 be immediately
submitted again the 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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o Check with your Regional EPA office for any details about a possible
local awards competition in your state.
o 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 (see pages 9 & 10).
o 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.
o 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
2, 1997, National deadline.
o 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 1997. 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.
o Nominated activities may sometimes be chosen for special recognition
rather than a categorical award.
o National award recipients will be notified by approximately July 21,
1997.
o National awards consisting of a certificate and plaque will be presented
in October 1997 at WEF’s Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
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.
o Short articles describing National award winning beneficial use activities
will be developed by EPA and WEF for publication in WEF’ Operations
Forum. Subsequent publications describing those Regional as well as
National activities will be encouraged. Photographs 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 [ iwo Categories: (1) <5 MGD (2) >5 MGD
(Note: Categorization is based upon the actual average daily flows, and not
the design capacity. If the facility only processes biosolids, then the two
categories are (1) 5 dry tons per day [ DTPD] and (2) > 5 DTPD)
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.
FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION OR DEVELOPMENT ACTMTIES
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 [ iwo 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 at the end of
this section)
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. FACILITYIACTIVITY 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. A1TACHMENTS
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 Xerox 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 (1996 Biosolids Beneficial Use Awards Program)
Proposed Award Category _________________________________________
I I. 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. _________________________
Ill. 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 05-19-97 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
2 03-15-97 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin
Islands
3 05-19-97 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
4 05-19-97 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee
5 05-19-97 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
Wisconsin
6 05-19-97 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Texas
7 05-19-97 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
8 05-19-97 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
9 05-19-97 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American
Samoa, Guam
10 05-19-97 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 6)
Region Address Contact Telephone
I EPA Municipal Evaluation Section Charles Conway 617-565-3517
One Congress Street, (SPN) Fax:
John F. Kennedy Federal Building 617-565-4939
Boston, MA 02203
2 EPA Water Management Division Alia Roufaeal 21 2-637-3864
290 Broadway, 24th Floor Fax:
New York, NY 10007-1 866 212-637-3891
3 EPA Water Protection Division Jim Kern 21 5-566-5788
841 Chestnut Street (3WP23) Fax:
Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-566-2302
4 EPA Water Management Division Jim Adcock 404-562-9248
Atlanta Federal Center Fax:
100 Alabama St, SW 404-562-9224
Atlanta, GA 30303-33104
5 EPA Water Division (WN-16J) Pankaj Parikh 312-886-6707
77 West Jackson Fax:
Chicago, IL 60604 312-886-7804
6 Outreach Team, Customer Svc Br Karen Bick 214-665-7539
Water Quality Protection Div (6WQ-CO) Fax:
1445 Ross Avenue 214-665-6490
Dallas, TX 75202
7 EPA NPDES & Facilities Mike Turvey 913-551-7424
Management Branch Fax:
726 Minnesota Avenue 913-551-7765
Kansas City, KS 66101
8 Biosolids Mgmt Program (P2-W-P) Bob Brobst 303-312-6129
999 18th Street, Suite 500 Fax:
Denver, CO 80202-2466 303-312-7084
9 EPA Clean Water Act Lauren Fondahl 415-744-1909
Compliance Office (WTR7) Fax:
75 Hawthorne Street 415-744-1235
San Francisco, CA 94105
10 EPA NPDES Permits Unit (OWl 30) Dick Hetherington 206-553-1941
1200 Sixth Avenue Fax:
Seattle, WA 98101 206-553-1280
A o The Water Environment Federation 703-684-2400
Cci act Attention: Technical & Educational Services Fax:
601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 703-684-2492
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PREVIOUS NATIONAL BENEFICIAL BIOSOUDS USE AWARD WINNERS
Categoiy Winner [ Activity] AwardWear
Operating King County, WA WPC Div [ Forest & Farm] 1st 1996
Projects County San Distr of LA, CA [ Diverse! 2nd 1996
(>5 MOD) City of Austin, TX, [ Multi /e Uses] 1st 1995
Tacoma Utilities Services, WA [ Land Ap, TACRO Soil Mix] 2nd 1995
City of Los Angeles, CA [ Mu/4o19 Uses] 1st 1994
City of Columbus, OH [ Mult,o/e Uses] 2nd 1994
Clayton Co, Water Authority, GA [ Heat Dry. Camp.] 1st 1993
City of Austin Water & WW Util, TX [ Comp. Air 11,] 2nd 1993
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Util. Dist., NC [ Land ApI 1st 1992
Truckee Meadows Water Reclaim, Dist., CA [ LandAp] 2nd 1992
City of Omaha, NE [ LandAppl.] 1st 1991
Miami-Dade, FL [ Air Dry Compost/np, Marketi, q] 2nd 1991
Vallejo San. & Flood Control Dist., CA [ LandAp] 1st 1990
Cape May County Mun. Util. Auth., N.J [ Compostiag] 2nd 1990
Hampton Roads, VA [ Nutragreen Land Ap., Comp.] 1St 1989
Clayton Co., GA [ Coinp, Heat Dry. Tree Prod.] tie 2nd 1989
Pima County, AZ [ LanliAppi/cation] tie 2nd 1989
Seattle Metro, WA [ Forest & Ag. Land Use] 1St 1988
San. Dist of Los Angeles Co., CA [ Composting] 2nd 1988
Operating Newton, IA WPC Facility [ Anaerob L App] 1st 1996
Projects Port Townsend, WA Biosolids Composting Facility 2nd 1996
( $5 MGD) Elizabethton, TN [ Co-compost/ag] 1St 1995
Chippewa Falls, WI [ LamlApbv/ajec(ion] 2nd 1995
Cumberland County Util Auth, NJ [ LandAp] 1st 1994
City of New Smyrna Beach, FL [ LandAp] 2nd 1994
Lafayette Wastewater Trtment Plant, GA [ LandAp] 1st 1993
Chillicothe Munic Util WW Tmt PIt, MO (Liq LandAp] 2nd 1993
The City of St. Peters, MO [ Lana’ App/.] 1st 1992
The Sussex Co. Mun. Util. Auth., NJ [ In-Vess, Comp] 2nd 1992
Alpena, Ml (Revegetate Industrial Waste Site] 1st 1991
Blackfoot, ID [ LandAppi.. Outreach) 2nd 1991
Hannibal, MO, Bd of Pub. Works [ Econ LandAp] 1st 1990
Redwood San. Sewer Service Dist., CA [ Co-Compost] 2nd 1990
Techno’ogy King County, WA WPC Div [ Forest Bias App System] 1st 1996
Development WSSC Montgomery Co., MD Regional Compost. Fac.
[ Scrubber and Mixing Advances/Comp. Odor Cent] 1St 1992
City of Lancaster, PA [ Com,oosting 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 BIOSOUDS USE AWARD WiNNERS (cont)
Categoiy Winner [ Act/v/fyi AwardiYear
Research City of Phila.Water Dept, PA [ Comp 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 01st, CA [ Comp Odor! VLJCJ 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
Memphis, TN, TE Maxson WW Trt Pit (Municipal) 1st 1996
Public City of Tacoma, WA (Municipal) 2nd 1996
Acceptance New England Interstate WPC Commission (Other) 1st 1996
Rocky Mts. Water Environ Association (Other) 2nd 1996
Dr. Lee Jacobs, Mich State Univ., Ml 1st 1995
Special Mountains to Sound Greenway Biosolids Forestry
Recognition Program, WA [ Stakeho/ders Use Biosolids Env Ben] 1996
Environ. Waste Recycling Inc., NC [ Pub Acpt & Opns] 1996
Northwest Biosolids Mgmt Assoc, WA [ Pub Acptj 1994
Maine Waste Water Control Assoc, ME [ Pub Acpt] 1994
Oyzboyd Environmental Svc, GA [ Ve,t Bed Dewater] 1994
City of Tampa, FL Hookers Point WW Trt. Plant
[ Optimizing Use of Digester tIes] 1992
Dr. Arthur E. Peterson, Dept of Soil Sci,
Madison, WI [ Sludge Research in WI] 1992
The College of Forest Resources, Univ of WA
[ Cooperative R&D, App/ to Forest Ecosystem.cJ 1992
NutraLime, St. Paul, MN [ Incin. Ash + Water
Treatment Sludge for Land Improvement] 1991
Metro. Water Reclam. Dist. of Greater Chicago
[ Long Term Multiple Contrb. to Beneficial 1 /se] 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
Contabution to Beneficial Use & Composting] 1989
Honorable Winston-Salem, NC, Archie Elledge WWTP [ 1 A] (OP) 1996
Mention Littleton/Englewood, CO WW Trt Pit [ Dry/and] (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 [ LAP] (OP) 1995
Knoxville, TN Util Bd [ LandAp, Stap Mine] (OP) 1995
St Charles MO River Trt Fac, [ Land Ap] (OP) 1995
City of Salem, OR [ LandAp] (OP) 1994
Reedy Creek lmprov Auth, FL [ Comp] (OP) 1994
Broward County, FL [ Mkt & Product] (Res) 1994
Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, Ml WW Irt PIt. [ L Ap] (OP) 1992
Madison, WI, Metro-Gro [ Land Use] (OP) 1988
Lime Lakes, OH, PPG Corp. [ Pr/v. Svc. Reclaim A/k Site] (OP) 1988
Hannibal, MO [ Land Application] (OP) 1988
Bowling Green, KY [ land Application] (OP) 1988
Fallbrook, CA (Vernicomposring] (TD) 1988
Ohio State Univ, Wooster, OH [ Composting Biotech.] (Res) 1988
*1st and 2nd place awards are not always given
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