BA/earth.pr                     Contact: Elizabeth Feinberg, 310-217-2363


COUNTY INTRODUCES
CLEAN WATER PARTNERS
PROGRAM ON EARTH DAY                 For Immediate release: April 22, 1996

     Six local companies were honored today as the first Clean Water Partners
in a new water quality program introduced by the County as part of an Earth
Day ceremony in Friendship Heights.
     Under the program, the County's Department of Environmental Protection
works with businesses, industrial and commercial operations to help prevent
pollution of area waters.  The partners pledge to protect water quality in
their respective areas by following specific practices designed to reduce or
eliminate potential pollutants.
     At a ceremony on the banks of the Little Falls branch in Friendship
Heights, the following Clean Water Partners were recognized:  Betco Block and
Products, Bethesda; Merchants Tire, Chevy Chase; Pepsi Cola Distribution
Center, Burtonsville; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and
Government Employees Insurance Company, both in Friendship Heights; and the
U.S. Generating Company, Bethesda.
     "The program's theme of 'Clean Streets, Clean Streams' summarizes the
concept behind the program," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "If we
prevent pollutants from washing into the streets and storm drains, we will
help restore water quality in our streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay."
     Two County-owned industrial facilities were honored with Environmental
Excellence Awards which recognized their efforts in controlling stormwater 
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COUNTY INTRODUCES CLEAN WATER PARTNERS                            2-2-2-2

pollution, including keeping their worksites, parking lots and road surfaces
free from sand, silt, debris and chemicals.
     The Damascus Depot of the Department of Public Works and Transportation
received the "Most Improved" Award by improving site operations and practices.
     The Colesville Depot received the "Most Outstanding" Award for
proactively undertaking stormwater pollution prevention activities.
     The Department of Environmental Protection regularly inspects County
depots and other industrial sites to help ensure compliance with the Federal
Clean Water Act.
     Duncan said that the award recipients prove that "business and
government are working together to achieve a mutually beneficial goals -- a
cleaner, healthier environment."
     For more information about the Clean Water Partners Program, call 217-
2177.
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