E. Benjamin Nelson Government Service Award

About the E. Benjamin Nelson Government Service Award
The E. Benjamin Nelson Government Service Award, named after two-term Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson, was established in 1998 to recognize and honor an elected or appointed public official who has significantly advanced environmental and groundwater stewardship. This award is named in honor of Governor Nelson in recognition of his tremendous service to groundwater during his eight years as Nebraska’s Governor. Among his many accomplishments, Governor Nelson demonstrated international leadership on behalf of, and participated in, eight consecutive Groundwater Festivals; established the Nebraska Environmental Trust which annually provides nearly ten million dollars for environmental projects throughout the state; and led multi-state discussions which led directly to a tri-state agreement to effectively manage the Platte River Basin.

Past Award Recipients
1998: Nebraska State Governor E. Benjamin Nelson
Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson’s personal commitment to environmental issues and tremendous service to groundwater has left a lasting legacy to the citizens of Nebraska. Among his many accomplishments, Governor Nelson established the Nebraska Environmental Trust, which annually provides over ten million dollars to environmental projects throughout the state. Governor Nelson led multi-state discussions, which led directly to a tri-state agreement benefiting the entire Platte River Basin. Governor Nelson also participated in eight consecutive Children’s Groundwater Festivals and demonstrated international leadership on the Festival’s behalf.

1999: Arkansas State Senator James C. Scott
Senator Scott’s interest in groundwater protection began in 1982 when, as a newly elected state senator, he became involved as an advocate for the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC) and their mission toward improving groundwater protection endeavors. As a member of the Joint Budget Committee, Senator Scott was able to obtain funding for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service to fund an Information Specialist position to be a source of information on preserving the Sparta aquifer and water conservation practices. Senator Scott sponsored and helped to pass legislation that created the Bi-State Sparta coalition between Louisiana and Arkansas and currently serves on the Education and Political Action committees of that organization.

2000: California State Senator David G. Kelley
First elected to the California State Senate in 1992, Senator Kelley has been a member of the Agriculture and Water Resources Committees since his election and is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Committee. He was also appointed to serve on the Western States Water Council under the administrations of both Governor George Deukmejian and Governor Pete Wilson. During his term, Senator Kelley has provided critical leadership and support for the largest agriculture to urban water transfer. This transfer will move 200,000-acre feet of conserved water from the Imperial Irrigation District to the San Diego County Water Authority. Senator Kelley completed his term in the senate by sponsoring Senate Joint Resolution No. 26 (SJR-26) during the 2000 legislative session, which motivates Congress to recognize the importance of, and participate in, funding groundwater quality preservation efforts, preventing potential degradation and more costly cleanup.

2001: Ron Bishop, Grand Island, Nebraska
As General Manager of the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD), Ron has been a leader in enhancing groundwater quality and protecting valued natural resources. In 1974, Ron and the CPNRD directors initiated research for groundwater quality management. As a result, Ron played a significant role in the development of CPNRD’s Groundwater Quality Management Program. This program which is designed to address high levels of nitrates in groundwater has received national acclaim. Under Ron’s management and guidance, the CPNRD has also acquired a national reputation for progressive and innovative ground and surface water stewardship. Ron also represents constituents and CPNRD directors through legislation. He has written, introduced, and supported numerous bills for groundwater quality and groundwater rights and has assisted with the formulation of Nebraska’s conjunctive water use law, which develops a framework for resolving disputes between surface water and groundwater uses.

2002: Philip Anthony, Westminster, California
Philip Anthony has served on the Orange County Water District (OCWD) Board since 1981 and is Chairperson of the OCWD Board’s Communication Committee. This committee provides direction and support for the District’s external communication efforts, including groundwater education programs. Philip also serves on the governing board of the Groundwater Replenishment System, one of the nation’s largest groundwater reclamation projects. In 1997, Philip established the OCWD’s basin-wide Groundwater Guardian program to enable OCWD to proactively work within the community to protect groundwater. Philip increased collaboration and support for Groundwater Guardian Team projects from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, Orange County Board of Supervisors and other local officials and helped form the regional system of representation for the Association of California Water Agencies. In 2000, Philip initiated and supported OCWD’s sponsorship of the Blue Planet Foundation, a local nonprofit environmental organization. As the Vice President of the Blue Planet Foundation Board of Directors, he is active helping educate Orange County on groundwater protection.

2003: No award given

2004: Steve Vandas, Denver, Colorado
Throughout his career as a Hydrologist for the U. S. Geological Survey, Mr. Vandas has worked on reservoir operation and irrigation scheduling studies, environmental studies involving instream flow, wilderness water rights, oil shale development, and Colorado River Basin Salinity. Mr. Vandas has also worked on water education and outreach projects for the K-12 education community. Through his education and outreach work, Mr. Vandas has developed numerous educational publications and worked with government agencies and private educational associations to further the understanding of water resources. Mr. Vandas was instrumental in developing a series of Water Resource Education Initiative Posters for educators and public information. Approximately 5 million of the posters have been distributed to educators around the world. Mr. Vandas also developed numerous articles describing water resources for use by educators, water resource professional, and policy makers.

2005: Dennis Nelson, Springfield, Oregon
As the Groundwater Coordinator for the State of Oregon Department of Human Services Drinking Water Program, Dennis has overseen the development of drinking water protection plans for communities throughout the state. Dennis also made significant contributions to the development of Oregon’s Drinking Water Protection Plan and Source Water Protection Plan. In addition, Dennis serves as advisor to the Oregon Drinking Water Program on issues related to groundwater policies and works closely with state agencies to help coordinate state programs. Dennis conducts training sessions for water operators, city officials, community outreach, children’s education, and well drillers. He has taught courses on Groundwater, Drinking Water Protection, and Source Water Assessments at various organizational meetings, community colleges, and schools. Dennis taught courses in physical geology, chemical hydrogeology and environmental assessments at Portland State University, and the University of Oregon. He has also written articles and served as editor for national publications and has served on national workgroups for groundwater issues including the Environmental Protection Agency’s Groundwater Rule.

2006: Bill Schatz, David City, Nebraska
As a City Council member, Bill was chairman of the Wellhead Protection Committee where he drafted and passed the David City Wellhead Protection Plan and Ordinance to protect the city’s water wells. He assisted in securing funding for a golf course recycled water irrigation project saving over 7-million gallons of well water annually. He was involved in the creation of a Rural Water Project, which allows smaller communities to join with other public water systems to comply with Federal regulations for water quality by constructing a nine-mile rural water system linking the Village of Bruno to David City. At the City Council level, Bill led efforts to make improvements to the David City water system, including a new water tower and upgrades to the water treatment plant. 

2007: Dr. William Alley, San Diego, California
Dr. Alley serves as Chief of the USGS Office of Ground Water. He oversees the USGS Ground Water Resources and Water Use Programs as well as USGS support of the Yucca Mountain project. Dr. Alley recognizes the benefits of public involvement in management of the nation’s water resources and as such has authored and co-authored a series of USGS Circulars. One of the most influential Circulars he co-authored is “Ground Water and Surface Water—A Single Resource.” He has also served as the groundwater coordinator for the pilot National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program; and coordinated the Regional Aquifer System Analysis (RASA) Program.