River News Now Breaking News Travel

San Francisco, California - During the agency's 11th annual Environmental Awards Ceremony in San Francisco today, U.S. EPA acting Regional Administrator Laura Yoshii recognized three Nevada organizations and individuals in recognition of their efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2008.

“It is a great pleasure and honor that we can recognize the innovative and important environmental work achieved by this year’s impressive group of organizations and individuals, and the example they set for all of us to follow,” Yoshii said. “This year's winners and nominees have made superb efforts to protect and preserve our air, water and land, and increased awareness of the environmental challenges we all face.”

The Pacific Southwest’s Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitment and significant contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands. Forty groups and individuals were selected from over 200 nominees received this year from businesses, local, government officials, tribes, media, environmental organizations and community activists.

The Nevada winners are:

Daniel Mosley, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Nixon - Dan Mosley has been working to improve water quality and habitat on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation for nearly 15 years. In that time, many of the programs he established have been adopted by other tribes, helping them sustain viable ecosystems using scientific evidence. Dan is an acknowledged and highly respected expert in bioassessments, having recognized early the importance of bioassessments in detecting impairments from stressors on aquatic communities. He was instrumental in the establishment of an Index of Biological Integrity for the Lower Truckee River and is developing an Index for perennial and intermittent streams within the reservation. In addition, he has conducted related training for tribes, and has given presentations at numerous national and international workshops and conferences.

Lou Castro, Earth Limos, Las Vegas - As a former fine dining waiter, Lou Castro learned the importance of superb customer service and the impact it can have on business success. Castro later began driving one of the first super-stretch SUV limos in Las Vegas and, after 7 years, he created the first and only eco-friendly transportation company in Las Vegas. In January 2008, Castro launched Earth Buses, which were all powered by biodiesel fuel -- even though it was significantly more expensive than regular diesel. He launched Earth Limos last November with plans to bring on more hybrid vehicles, as well as vehicles that will operate on compressed natural gas and liquid propane technology.

Rob Dorinson, Evergreen Recycling, Las Vegas - Evergreen Recycling, a Las Vegas recycler, has transformed recycling efforts in Nevada with a state-of-the-art automated construction and demolition debris and commercial sorting facility. The company worked with MGM Mirage to divert 50,000 tons of a construction project’s debris from landfill disposal in 2008. The company’s 85 employees have worked tirelessly to develop a business that has changed the state’s waste management practices by supporting innovative green building and recycling programs to recycle over 200,000 tons of resources. Evergreen’s founder and President, Rob Dorinson, has volunteered his expertise at federal, state, county and local forums, and his efforts have supported the growth of green buildings and helped Nevada’s recycling rate double over the past 10 years.