FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2006

Shelly Miller
New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District
910-798-6032
shelly.miller@nhswcd.org

Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Awards Program: 2006 Request for Applications

New Hanover County , NC - Residential and commercial development can be accomplished in an environmentally friendly way. The Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Awards Program recognizes developments in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender Counties that are exemplary in their attempts to protect the natural resources of the area.

The 1st year of the program was very successful with the The Village of Woodsong in Brunswick County receiving the Outstanding Recognition award for its preservation of existing habitat, limitation of impervious surfaces, and water conservation efforts.  Preservation Park, located in Wilmington, received the Significant Achievement award for a planned clustered development proposed to preserve extensive wooded areas and wetlands.  You can view numerous articles, highlighting these awards, at http://www.villageofwoodsong.com/news.asp.

The Stewardship Development Advisory Committee is soliciting applications for 2006 of developments that go beyond compliance in their efforts to protect water quality, preserve wetlands and open space, use green building techniques, and educate the public about their efforts.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 22, 2006

The Basic requirements that must be met for a project to apply for the award include:

• Project must be located in New Hanover, Brunswick, or Pender Counties
• Project must be in compliance with or exceed all applicable local, state, and federal regulations
• Participating Developer/Owner must allow visits to site by the Selection Committee and provide additional information as requested for evaluating the project
• Project is subject to periodic evaluation by the Selection Committee

Applications will be judged on the overall creativity, design, and environmental impacts of projects. The selection panel will evaluate how well applicants meet the specific criteria established in several principle areas:

1. Site Inventory & Development Plan
2. Water Quality Protection
3. Green Building
4. Wildlife Habitat Protection/Habitat Improvement
5. Scenic View Protection/Beautification
6. Historical/Archaeological/Cultural ProtectioN
7. Project Management Plan
8. Community Outreach/Education
9. Re-use/Revitalization of Existing Sites

Staff of all participating entities will provide assistance with meeting the criteria listed above. Stewardship Development honorees receive recognition and promotion of their efforts through:

1. Acceptance into awards program
2. Exposure through releases and related literature
3. Recognition at an annual awards banquet
4. Display of approved Stewardship Development Award signage on the project site
5. Right to use of Stewardship Development logo in promotional materials for the award-winning site or project. (Numbers 4 & 5 for Outstanding only)

The Lower Cape Fear Stewardship Development Awards Program is recognized by:
Brunswick County
Brunswick Soil & Water Conservation District
Cape Fear Resource Conservation & Development, Inc.
City of Wilmington
New Hanover County
New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District
Pender County
Pender Soil & Water Conservation District
UNC at Wilmington Masters of Public Administration Program
Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association
Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS

• Additional information can be found at www.stewardshipdev.com
• Applications and criteria guidelines can be downloaded online or by contacting Shelly Miller at the New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District at 910-798-6032 or shelly.miller@nhswcd.org.