SAN FRANCISCO, CA

During a recent Earth Day ceremony in San Francisco, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Felicia Marcus presented plaques to 17 California organizations and individuals in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 1999.

"Honorees have applied creativity, teamwork and leadership in addressing many of Northern California's most pressing and complex environmental problems," Marcus said. "Thanks to the efforts of these individuals, our air, water and land will be cleaner and safer for generations to come. The winners -- in fact all of the nominees -- set an example for all of us to follow."

The EPA Region 9 Earth Day Celebration acknowledges commitment and significant contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and tribal lands. Forty six groups and individuals were selected from 164 nominees received this year from businesses, media, local, state and federal government officials, tribes, environmental organizations and citizen activists.