25 Jan 2007 | Ref. 026/2007
NORFOLK, Virginia – BAE Systems has earned the Sustained Distinguished Environmental Performance Award from The Elizabeth River Project, a Portsmouth, Virginia-based environmental organization dedicated to urban river restoration.
The award recognized BAE Systems’ wildlife habitat enhancement and environmental mentoring efforts in the Elizabeth River tributary area. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair has received this award for the past three years and serves as the largest private shipyard in the Elizabeth River watershed.
“BAE Systems aims to be a good corporate citizen wherever it operates. This award is continued recognition of our ‘beyond compliance’ approach to environmental stewardship and our community-conscious efforts to help our neighbors do the same,” said Michael Ewing, Environmental Manager for BAE Systems in Norfolk. “We are honored to receive this award once again.”
Located on the main stem and Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, BAE Systems has completed two voluntary wetland area restorations, planted new upland areas, created oyster beds and recently planted a variety of native plants in its shipyard, including 193 trees and shrubs that cover a previously debris-filled 20,000 square foot area. Additionally, the company has served as an active community environmental mentor, speaking at various forums, hosting college tours and industry technology panels and organizing roundtables, all pertaining to the environment. BAE Systems has also recruited new members to the Project.
Incorporated in 1993 and governed by a board of directors, The Elizabeth River Project is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to restore the Elizabeth River to the highest practical level of environmental quality through government, business and community partnerships. The Project works with partners to voluntarily reduce and prevent pollution and create wildlife habitat. Its River Stars program categorizes participating organizations into three levels, based on the depth and breadth of their pollution prevention and habitation efforts.
Along with a unanimous selection by a panel of River Star peers and technical experts for the Sustained Distinguished Environmental Performance Award, BAE Systems was recertified as a Model Level River Star, the highest in the program. The panel cited BAE Systems’ successful ongoing pollution control efforts to capture all wastewater runoff during ship repairs, its implementation of pioneering technology to remove contaminants from the water before it is released back into the river and its reuse of 4,000 tons of solid waste per year as evidence to support the company’s continued Model Level certification.
Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, executive director of The Elizabeth River Project said, “BAE Systems has become a true leader on the Elizabeth River for environmental stewardship. We are extremely proud of the company for showing that even a major, urban shipyard can find room to restore wetlands and oysters, as well as reduce pollution.”
BAE Systems has been a Model Level participant since 2000. Model Level participants must be recertified every three years to ensure they continue to achieve the exceptional pollution prevention and wildlife habitat results while mentoring others as community leaders in environmental stewardship.
BAE Systems Ship Repair is the United States’ leading non-nuclear ship repair, modernization and conversion company – focused on dry dock and ship repair services for the U.S. Navy, other defense agencies and commercial customers. It has major operations in Norfolk, San Diego, San Francisco and Hawaii.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $22 billion, excluding the group's former interest in Airbus.
For further information, please contact:
John Kowalczyk, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 757 494 2977 Mobile: +1 757 717 8391
john.kowalczyk@baesystems.com
Susan Lenover, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 703 907 8259 Mobile: +1 703 850 1621
susan.lenover@baesystems.com
www.baesystems.com
