Focus on metal finishing and P2 by Mary Werner

Metal finishing wastes: why are we concerned? by SA Rehder, PE

NY's Strategic Goals Program for Metal Finishers by DJ Lucia, PE

Anoplate: stewardship, involvement, success by MF Stevenson, ME Florczykowski

SGP—a municipal perspective by P Heckler PE and R LaGrotta PE

Governor's awards for pollution prevention by C Montes

Direct discharge of treated metal finishing wastewater by JM Harrington PE

Metal products and machinery, proposed rule by V Wong

Pollution Prevention Unit works with metal finishers by C O'Brien

Metal finishing wastes: why are we concerned? by M Gampel

Wild and scenic

Voices from the field

People and places

Partnering by A Zabinski

Executive director's message by P Cerro-Rehill

Winter 2000 — Vol. 30, No. 4

Executive director's message

by Patricia Cerro-Reehil

It seems that water is in the news more and more. As a member of NYWEA you have always paid continuous attention to water. However, as its importance sharpens in the eyes of the general public, we are all looking at it a little differently, with a little more vigor, a little more interest.

The importance of water is increasingly recognized, all water—surface, ground and the waters of the oceans. In New York State we have a connection to all. Some of our problems lately—the loss of coral reefs, increases in contaminated drinking water and recent lobster kills—are reminders of how fragile this water planet is.

I was fortunate this Fall to hear Sylvia Earle's keynote address at WEFTEC where she focused on her underwater discoveries and told the audience, "what we do to the ocean, we do to ourselves and our future. We need to be conscious of our effect on the ocean, and understand how industry, forestry, and agriculture affect the health of the water on earth and the air we breathe."

Each generation has to recognize and make a commitment to protecting the environment, as epitomized by the encouragement given by WEF to 17-year-old Ashley Mulroy for winning the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. This reminds us that we need to put our energy into young people joining this organization. These young people come with ideas that are refreshing; usually straightforward and creative. We need to get people like this involved in the association. Our efforts in this regard are with the Student Chapters of NYWEA and the fundamental move in the establishment of the Scholarship Program. These two programs are the avenues we have chosen to help keep young people woven into this exciting field. Sylvia Earle said she has four reasons for hope for our future: the human mind, the human spirit, the resilience of nature and our youth.

As this year ends, and we gear up for the 73rd Annual Meeting I would like to acknowledge the individuals who have devoted their careers to this noble profession. The following life members will be recognized at the upcoming Annual Meeting, and are people who have made a difference over the course of their career:
 

Wherever you are in your career—ready to retire, mid-life or just entering the field, whether you design treatment plants, operate them, or sell equipment to help them function efficiently, it is critical to understand how important your work is to the health of the environment and the people who live here. I believe that Sylvia Earle was trying to elevate the consciousness of the audience to be ever vigilant and at the same time, strongly reinforce and celebrate the commitment of people in the water business. It's nice to know what you're doing is really important!