INDIAN RIVER LAGOON Project of the Year Lagoon Trash Filtration System (Indian River County) The project will divert most of the canal flow into a system of screens. Water will pass first through screens with 1-inch openings and then through screens with 1/8 or 1/16-inch openings before flowing back into the canal. Machines will scrub the screen and send debris by conveyor belt to garbage bins, which would be taken to the county landfill. Part of the project will enlist the aid of the canal's freshwater plants, water lettuce and duckweed, to absorb 12 percent of the nitrogen and 17 percent of the phosphorus, before the plants themselves become numerous and are shipped to the landfill. The ALBERT TUTTLE AWARD for Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Indian River Lagoon Frank Wegel (Volunteer, Sebastian River Buffer Preserve State Park) He is the Vice president of the Friends of the St. Sebastian River, and former Vice President of the Coastal Preserves Alliance. He has received the St. Johns River Water Management District's Bob Owens Award and the Pelican Island Audubon's Kleckner Award. He developed the new concept of purchase of lands by MRC, and initiated boat speed surveys with Fish and Wildlife. He also initiated experimental coliform testing with MRC and alerted them to oyster die off and assisted them with their research on the issue. He helps with pepper busting, water quality testing, clean ups, manatee surveys and ground water surveys. The PAUL KROEGAL AWARD For Outstanding Service to the Indian River Lagoon by a Government Employee Bob Day (Indian River Lagoon Program) Bob began working for the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation and was involved in several of FDER's regulatory programs before accepting a position as a Biologist with Brevard County. While employed by Brevard County, Bob was involved with the development of plans; water, sediment, and biological quality monitoring; development and implementation of several resource assessment, protection and management programs; and growth management plan and ordinance development. After several years with the County, Bob had an opportunity to join and establish the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. Participating in the initiation and implementation of a regional effort to protect and restore the resources of the Indian River Lagoon. The STAN BLUM AWARD For Lifetime Service To The Indian River Lagoon Dave Botto (Marine Resources Council) Resides in Indian Harbour Beach. Born/Raised in Bradenton Fl. Retires USAF 1972 - veteran of Korea/Vietnam War. Harris Corp 1972-1995. Director of Engineering. Pres. Aerosystems International, Inc. Exec. VP Wexxon Airport Group. Married 5 children, 7 grandchildren. Concerned with control of stormwater runoff. Coordinated cooperative actions of all organizations & agencies concerned with the health of the lagoon. Establishment of independent source of funds/funding for use of MRC. FPL AWARD for Outstanding Service To The Indian River Lagoon By An Elected Official Tony Sasso (State Representative District 32) As a City of Cocoa Beach Councilman, Tony Sasso was the driving force behind the purchase of the Thousand Islands for Conservation. As a new member of the Florida House of Representatives, he was instrumental in getting the Clean Oceans Act passed through the legislature. The Act restricts the dumping of human waste in coastal waters by Casino Cruise Ships.