U.S. Department of Transportation 
Earth Day 2003 Associated Activities

Federal Highway Administration

Theme: Highlight the Environmental Stewardship of FHWA and State Highway Agencies 

FHWA Environmental Excellence Awards Ceremony, on Tuesday April 22, Earth Day:  This event is the 5^th biennial presentation of FHWA awards to State DOTs and others for exemplary environmental initiatives under the highway program.  This year, our independent panel of judges selected winners in the 11 categories from among the 134 entries from 38 States. 

Showcase Exemplary Projects and Activities:  FHWA, in cooperation with various organizations will jointly showcase several environmental successes under TEA-21 and ISTEA, with a series of events and activities prior to, during, and following “Earth Week” (April 21-25).  The 2003 Environmental Excellence Award program will be showcasing award winners demonstrating environmental accomplishment and stewardship in 11 categories.  Three of this year’s winning projects will also be highlighted at separate events at the state level: 

• Broward County Long Range Transportation Plan: April 24^th and May 8^th.   The FHWA Florida Division is recognizing and promoting publicity for Broward County and their work on the 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) as it demonstrates excellence in the provision of non-motorized transportation. Broward’s LRTP budget dedicates $123 million to enhance and construct 298 pedestrian bicycle facilities, and build new sidewalks and overpasses over busy roadways. The improvements allow for increased shorter-distance trips and leisure trip safety.  There will be two award ceremonies, the first occurring April 24^th at the Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council in Tallahassee and the second at the Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting in Ft. Lauderdale on May 8^th.
  

• Short Grass Prairie Ecosystem Initiative, Colorado, April 17^th and 18^th.   In April 2001, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the Colorado Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife, the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Nature Conservancy signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to perform mitigation for highway projects over the Central Shortgrass Prairie Ecoregion over the next 20 years. The MOA will foster long-term preservation of the entire prairie ecoregion. The goals of the MOA are to aid the recovery of Endangered Species Act listed species, proactively protect species so they aren't listed in the future, and streamline the NEPA regulatory process. In addition to being honored as a recipient of an FHWA 2003 Environmental Excellence award, Colorado will recognize the shortgrass prairie ecosystem planning effort with a local ceremony on April 17th and at a State Environmental Summit on the April 18th.  
     

• Paris Lexington Road (Paris Pike, US 68) in Kentucky.  This project consisted of the innovative redesign of a 12-mile stretch of highway between the City of Lexington and the rural community of Paris, Kentucky.  The natural landscape served as a framework of design for addressing the cultural, historical, scenic, natural, archaeological and recreational resources.    Fitting the road to the land required dodging sensitive areas and resources, and utilizing community-based planning and context sensitive highway design to weave the alignment through the landscape and produce a road that is attractive, visually interesting, and safe to drive.   

Briefing Room