Thirty-six River Star
businesses and industries recognized for outstanding environmental
achievement.
One
example: When Norfolk Stormwater
Management Program doubled its street sweeping, 12 million lbs. of
sediment and debris were kept out of stormwater runoff, and thus, out of
the river. See the entire list of honorees here.
The Founders Inn and Spa was the scene for recognizing more River Stars
than ever at ERP's annual River Star Luncheon!
These high achievers put creativity and commitment in action to
accomplish great things. Just a few examples include The Chesapeake
Arboretum, conserving an urban forest that provides important stormwater
filtration as well as habitat for wildlife, education for the public and
a peaceful place to unwind. Or Skanska USA Civil Southeast, the nation's
top green contractor, according to Engineering News. Norfolk
Southern--Lambert's Point, one of the world's leading coal terminals now
captures 5,600 tons of coal a year that previously washed into the
Elizabeth River as runoff, as well a reducing air emissions, creating
wildlife habitat and more. Marine Hydraulics International now uses an
"ultra urban device" called a Vortechs to treat stormwater, separating
and collecting debris, oil and water. Or Maersk Line, Limited, the
maritime transportation service with the "Drive to Zero" goal of zero
incidents impacting sea or land from fuel or oil transfer or operation.
And the list goes on...
Collectively, in 2008 alone, River Stars achieved and documented the:
- Reduction of 24.7 million pounds of
pollution,
- Creation or conservation of 174 acres of
wildlife habitat, and
- Recycling or reusing more than 47 million
pounds of materials
Since the River
Stars program for business partners was launched in 1997, River Stars
have become the finest environmental stewards on the Elizabeth,
witnessed by these amazing statistics:
- Pollution reduced: 204 million pounds
- Wildlife habitat restored or conserved: 992 acres
- Other materials reduced, recycled or reused: More than a
billion pounds.
This year's River Stars and
their categories of achievement are:
These facilities
lead the community in environmental stewardship through exceptional
results in pollution prevention and wildlife habitat-and mentor others.
- Chesapeake Arboretum
- CITGO Petroleum
- Skanska USA Civil Southeast
Achievement Level
These River Stars
document significant results in pollution prevention and wildlife
habitat
- Hess Corp.-Chesapeake Terminal
Norfolk Southern-Lambert's Point
Virginia Zoological Park
Commitment Level
Commitment Level
River Stars document significant results in either pollution prevention
or wildlife enhancement.
- Colonial Pipeline
- Culpepper Landing
- The Founders Inn and Spa
- Maersk Line, Limited
- Marine Hydraulics International
- Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center
- TransMontaigne Product Services - Norfolk Complex
Sustained
Distinguished Performance
This honor is
awarded when a River Star completes a significant new initiative with no
change in recognition level.
- BAE Systems Norfolk Repair
- Beach Marine Services
- Cape Henry Audubon Society-Weyanoke Wildlife Sanctuary
- Earl Industries
- Hermitage Foundation Museum
- Norfolk Environmental Commission
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard
- Norfolk Stormwater Management Program
- Old Dominion University
- Southern Aggregates
- US Maritime Administration, Division of Atlantic Operations
- Virginia Port Authority
Recertifying
River Stars
These River Stars
"recertified" achievements documented three years ago by peer review.
Recertification began in 2006 with Model Level River Stars, followed by
Achievement Level River Stars in 2007. Commitment Level River Stars were
reviewed for recertification in 2008.
- Atlantic Associates (Commitment Level)
- Christian Broadcasting Network (Achievement Level)
- Colonna's Shipyard (Commitment Level)
- Great Bridge Lock Park (Commitment Level)
- Hampton Roads Behavioral Health (Commitment Level)
- Island Properties/Island Estates (Commitment Level)
- Kinder Morgan/Elizabeth River Terminal (Commitment Level)
- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Model Level)
- Perdue Chesapeake Plant (Commitment Level)
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Commitment Level)
- Volvo Penta of the Americas (Commitment Level)
