CASQA Recognizes Disneyland Resort for Stormwater Treatment Program
Awards Ceremony to Acknowledge Excellence in Stormwater Quality Management

ANAHEIM, Calif. – October 28, 2010 — The California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) will present an award to the Disneyland Resort at the sixth annual CASQA Stormwater Conference awards luncheon on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage.

Disneyland Resort will receive the award for Outstanding Stormwater BMP Implementation Program for its holistic approach in developing and implementing a master water quality management plan in partnership with the City of Anaheim. This master plan supports the environmental legacy of Walt Disney and the long term vision for sustainable programs throughout the resort. The Resort began implementing best practices based on its master plan this past year through state-of-the-art development at the resort. With new equipment and development in place, stormwater can be treated, captured and detained on the property, and stormwater discharge will be reduced.

“Our commitment to preserving the environment dates back to Walt Disney who truly valued conservation efforts,” said Frank Dela Vara, director of Environmental Affairs at the Disneyland Resort. “As we grow and expand, one of the ways we continue to build on this legacy is by investing in new technologies, systems and processes that improve water quality. We are honored to receive this award and look forward to continuing to develop innovative practices that help sustain our environment and support our core business values, because it is the right thing to do.”

Four other CASQA stormwater management awards will include:

• The Outstanding Sustainable Stormwater Project award, presented to the Cucamonga Valley Water District for its Frontier Project.
• The Outstanding Stormwater BMP Implementation Project award, presented to the Los Angeles & San Gabriel River Valley Rivers Watershed Council for its Elmer Avenue Retrofit Demonstration project.
• The Outstanding Stormwater News, Information, Outreach and Media award, presented to the City of Los Angeles for its Stormwater Public Education program.
• An Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Stormwater BMP Implementation Project award, presented to the City of Santa Monica for the Bicknell Avenue Green Street Project.

“The Awards Committee evaluated how creative and innovative organizations could be as they addressed stormwater and environmental challenges in their communities. The Disneyland Resort program embodies both best practices and creative concepts in stormwater management, and is a model for other organizations.  We recognize its success, innovation and dedication to the improvement of stormwater quality in California,” said Jill Bicknell, awards committee chair.

The CASQA awards program identifies and recognizes creative approaches, outstanding projects, best practices and exemplary accomplishments in the field of stormwater quality management. CASQA awards can be given to both public and private projects and individuals from public agencies and private businesses. A CASQA member must nominate award candidates, and candidates are evaluated on demonstrated excellence, ingenuity, creativity, professionalism and documented results. Awards may be made at local, regional and statewide levels.

About CASQA
The California Stormwater Quality Association, founded in 1989, helps develop
stormwater management programs and regulations that are technically and economically feasible, provide significant environmental benefits and effect compliance with State and Federal laws.  Through its efforts to improve stormwater management practices, CASQA is on its way to creating cleaner waterways and beaches throughout California. 

The association collaborates with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the California State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards, municipalities, special districts and businesses to achieve effective stormwater quality management programs in California.  Membership consists of individuals and groups from government agencies, businesses, science organizations, development groups and construction groups.  For more information about CASQA or to become a member, please visit www.casqa.org.