Specifically, there are nine winners in the operations and maintenance category; five awardees under exemplary biosolids management; six recipients in the national pre-treatment area; and two in the stormwater management category. Winners were chosen based on water quality compliance screenings and a satisfactory environmental quality record.

The city of Oakland?EUR??,,????'???s Watershed Improvement Program received 1st place for its numerous projects, policies and guidance documents aimed at protecting headwaters, promoting stormwater infiltration, and protecting and restoring vegetated riparian corridors. The city increased residential stewardship and awareness of water quality issues through ?EUR??,,????'??Friends of Creeks?EUR??,,????'?? groups, semiannual citywide cleanups and plantings, school outreach, and an adopt-a-creek program.

The city also helped generate innovative creek protection regulations, drafted and implemented innovative anti-litter laws and a ban on Styrofoam, and implemented restoration projects to improve flood control, improve water quality, create new wetland/riparian habitats with funding from state and local bonds, city agencies, the community, nongovernmental organizations, the Oakland Zoo, and the Alameda County Flood Control District.

The Caltrans Stormwater Management Program also received 1st place for its strategies to control a large number of pollutants that vary across geography, geology, climate and population. Caltrans researched highway runoff and best management practices to prevent runoff, executed a statewide, multimillion dollar public education campaign called ?EUR??,,????'??Don?EUR??,,????'???t Trash California,?EUR??,,????'?? and established stakeholder partnerships. Caltrans participated in a watershed initiative along the California coastline to enhance maintenance practices of highway areas, used low-impact treatment controls, and conducted discharge and in-stream monitoring.

Source: EPA