July 16, 2007

King County receives national recognition awards for innovative preservation and conservation programs

King County Executive Ron Sims accepted awards this weekend for two innovative King County programs singled out as being the best in their respective program categories by the National Association of Counties (NACo) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C . One targets the preservation of archaeological sites and the other is devoted to helping schools reduce waste and recycle.

Road Services Cultural Resources Protection Program

The Road Services Division's Cultural Resources Protection Program was selected as "Best in the Arts and Historic Preservation" category for its work in avoiding or mitigating impacts to archaeological sites and other cultural resources in the county.

Transportation agencies must follow strict federal, state and local regulatory requirements aimed at minimizing the impacts to cultural and historic sites when projects are constructed. The Roads Division took this responsibility to a new level by working closely with the King County Historic Preservation Program to design a program that allows for more efficient and effective compliance with both the spirit and letter of regulations.

In addition to creating a sophisticated database and Geographic Information System containing all known cultural resources, the Roads Division teaches project managers and field staff how to identify potential historic or cultural sites and how to avoid impacts with the help of an in-house archaeologist.

Department of Natural Resources and Parks' Green Schools Program

King County 's Green Schools Program won NACo's "Best of Category for Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection" award for its Green Schools program, which helps schools and school districts with waste reduction, recycling and other resource conservation efforts.

The program, which was launched in 2003, helps schools and school districts to begin or expand conservation actions, and to increase awareness of conservation strategies among the entire school community. The program also recognizes schools and school districts for their efforts. Six of King County's 18 school districts (totaling 161 schools) and nine individual schools have participated in the program.

"Both of these programs are perfect examples of how county government can be a steward of natural and cultural resources and help citizens help the environment," Sims said. "I'm honored to accept these awards on behalf of King County."

Since its inception, the Green Schools Program has helped 170 schools to improve their conservation practices and reduce costs through reduced garbage disposal, reduced energy use and other conservation measures . By providing recycling containers, recycling signs, and other materials that enable schools to expand conservation efforts, the program eliminates the barrier of funding that many schools face. A majority of elementary schools that made recycling improvements realized a 30 to 50 percent reduction in garbage volume, saving them between $3,000 and $5,000 a year in garbage disposal costs.

More information about the program is available by calling Dale Alekel at 206-296-8457, or at www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/greenschools.