Jamaica Bay Eco Watchers Honored by U.S. E.P.A.

A local  environmental organization in our area has been honored with an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers was nominated for this award by Congressman Bob Turner (R-Queens and Brooklyn), and was honored by the congressman recently.

“This is a great day for the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers...” Turner said in a statement issued by his office. “This  is an extremely deserving group who do important work on behalf of our community. I was proud to have nominated them, and am even prouder that they have been recognized for their devotion to their...cause.”

New York’s 9th Congressional District falls into EPA Region 2 which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Turner nominated the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers in February citing their tireless efforts “to protect the quality and integrity of our environment.”

This year marks the first time in the last ten years a community group from the 9th District has won this prestigious award.

According to the EPA, to be selected for the award a group or individual must significantly contribute to improving environmental quality during the prior year.

The Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers was founded in 1998 with a mission of protecting and restoring Jamaica Bay, a salt march spanning 25,000 acres.

“Since his election, the congressman has done an outstanding job reaching out to people in the community and environmental groups around the bay to try and find out the needs of the bay and what he can do to help,” said Broad Channel resident and Bay Ecowatchers President Dan Mundy. “We certainly appreciate his efforts on the bay. I think his living on the bay contributes a lot to his firsthand awareness of how important it is. We certainly appreciate the work his office did to recognize us. This award will help us continue the work that we are doing.”