Naval Air Depot Cherry Point joined an elite group recently when it was named to receive North Carolina’s highest environmental award.

The N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources named the depot as one of three 2004 Environmental Stewards.

Based upon superior environmental performance, continued reduction of environmental impacts and commitment to exceed compliance, the state recognized the NADEP along with the City of Gastonia’s Long Creek Water Resources Reclamation Facility and the Corning Inc. Wilmington Optical Fiber Facility.

Only two other organizations have earned this prestigious recognition since the Environmental Stewardship Initiative began in 2002.

The state Environmental Stewardship Initiative is a voluntary program that promotes and encourages superior environmental performance, establishes incentives to stimulate business, industry, government and nonprofits to develop and implement programs using pollution prevention and other innovative approaches to meet and exceed their regulatory requirements. Through the program, participants help reduce environmental impacts in the state, leading to a stronger economy and conservation of our natural resources.

Environmental Stewards are chosen for their commitment to exemplary environmental performance beyond what is required by law. Stewards must set aggressive environmental goals that include pollution prevention, a commitment to exceed compliance and annual improvements to performance. They must have implemented an environmental management system, demonstrate how the system is integrated into core business functions and have a process for communicating with the local community on program activities and progress toward performance goals.

A presentation ceremony is scheduled March 9 at the depot.

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