B-Line Trail Receives Highest Honor for Environmental Achievements

[image:151,right]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2012

For more information contact
Amy Hartsock, IDEM's Office of Media Relations, (317) 233-4927

Dave Williams, Operations and Development Director, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 349-3706 or williamd@bloomington.in.gov

Plainfield, Ind. - Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence have been presented to seven organizations to honor their extraordinary efforts to protect and benefit Hoosiers and our environment. Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Commissioner Thomas Easterly presented the awards yesterday during the 20th Annual Conference of the Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts at PRIMO-West Conference Center in Plainfield.

"Improving the environment involves local innovation, enthusiasm and a commitment to change," said Easterly. "The extraordinary achievements of these organizations benefit our communities and our environment."

Land Use Category
City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, Bloomington, Monroe County, for the Bloomington Indiana [B-Line Trail|B-Line Trail]

In turning an abandoned railroad corridor into a linear park called the B-Line Trail, the City of Bloomington used a unique approach to simultaneously cleanup and redevelop the area. Arsenic, lead and other contaminants were left behind by over a century of railroad use. The project involved protecting the public from exposure to these contaminants through various remediation techniques, including capping with impervious concrete, asphalt, pavers and clean soil. Excavation was avoided where possible, which reduced quantities of landfilled material. The final phase of the B-Line was dedicated and opened to the public in September 2011 after remediation and construction was complete. The project was funded through several sources including an INDOT Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant and Indiana Brownfield Program (IBP) remediation grant, which is the first time these agencies have worked together.

[City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation receives Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence.(L-R):IDEM Assistant Commissioner Rick Bossingham; Alisa Wood, Budget Research and Grants Manager, City of Bloomington; Dave Williams, Operations Director, City of Bloomington Department of Parks and Recreation; IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly|image:12784]

Recipients in other categories include:

Outreach & Education

• 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, Indianapolis, Marion County for the 1st & Green project
• Upper White River Watershed Alliance and Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation, Indianapolis, Marion County for the Clear Choices Clean Water project.

Greening the Environment

• Clay Township Regional Waste District, Indianapolis, Hamilton County, for its Greening CTRWD project
• Town of Ferdinand, Ferdinand, Dubois County, for the Town of Ferdinand Green Initiatives

Recycling/Reuse

• City of Fort Wayne Solid Waste Department, Fort Wayne, Allen County, for its Single Stream Recycling Program
• Kimball International, Inc., Jasper, Dubois County, for its Corporate Recycling Center

About the Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence
[The Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence|http://www.in.gov/idem/5147.htm] recognize Indiana's leaders who have identified and implemented innovative environmental practices into their programs and facilities. The awards program is open to all Indiana facilities, state and local units of government, individuals, and technical assistance organizations that implement exemplary environmental projects with measurable results.

About IDEM
Established in 1986, [IDEM|www.idem.IN.gov] implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

###