(Syracuse, NY) Erie County Executive Joel Giambra is the recipient of the annual Frank E. VanLare Award from the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA). The VanLare Award recognizes the outstanding contributions and commitment of an elected official for exceptional support of environmental projects, programs and initiatives with a major focus on water resources, wastewater facilities and water quality preservation development. The NYWEA is a statewide nonprofit organization of water quality management professionals with 2,100 members and seven regional chapters. The award was announced at the organization’s annual meeting February 4-6 in New York City.

According to the NYWEA, Giambra "has demonstrated a keen sense of the importance of the environment in maintaining and improving the quality of life in the region." The NYWEA cited Giambra’s support and guidance in the recent upgrade of the Big Sister Wastewater Treatment Plant in Angola and the ongoing upgrade of the Southtowns Wastewater Treatment Plant in Hamburg. Giambra has supported opportunities for water quality and quantity improvements including the merger of independent water systems into the County’s water system and the formation of the 19-community Southtowns Water Consortium. He also backed initiatives to restore aquatic ecosystems such as South Park Lake and protect the region’s fisheries. Giambra’s push to create the Erie County Solid Waste Consolidation Initiative has centralized solid waste management services and resulted in lower costs. The County provides four opportunities a year for residents to dispose of hazardous wastes, and has committed over $5 million toward Brownfields remediation and redevelopment. Giambra also endorsed the creation of the Office of Geographic Information Services and an on-line building permit system for the county.

Giambra and his wife, Michelle Lettieri Giambra, live in North Buffalo with their four children.

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