DUDEK - Famosa Slough Restoration APWA Award

San Diego Chapter Recognizes Encinitas Firm's Work with 2005 Environmental Project of the Year Award

Encinitas, Calif. - September 13, 2005 - Dudek, a leading Southern California engineering and environmental consulting firm, today announced that its work has been recognized with the prestigious 2005 Environmental Project of the Year award from the American Public Works Association's San Diego Chapter. The honor, bestowed upon the City of San Diego for the Famosa Slough restoration, was selected in part for the unique and innovative approaches Dudek took in restoring the Famosa Slough salt marsh to its original habitat.

As salt marshes are disappearing at rapid rates due to trash contamination and other man-made factors, the City of San Diego sought to return a one-acre section of historic Famosa Slough to its original habitat. To accomplish this goal, the City turned to Dudek. Dudek tackled the project by first removing all the debris from the site then worked diligently through the El Niño rains to reintroduce plants and wildlife to the area. As a result, in a state where 95 percent of the salt marshes have disappeared in the last 50 years, the City of San Diego now has a thriving habitat in Famosa Slough.

“We had an extremely condensed timeline because of the rains and bird nesting season, so work had to be done quickly and in less than ideal conditions,” said the City of San Diego’s associate planner, Jeannette DeAngelis.

“In addition to the rain, we had to work with unstable ground, active tidal flow and large pieces of concrete,” said Mike Sweesy, a biologist with Dudek. “This latest award demonstrates Dudek’s commitment to providing its clients with superior results.”

About Dudek
Dudek is a leading Southern California-based engineering and environmental consulting corporation that creatively solves regulatory challenges for municipal agencies and major land owners. The firm helps clients plan, design, construct and manage successful infrastructure and environmental projects that balance regulatory mandates and technical requirements within financial and scheduling goals. Founded in 1980, Dudek is headquartered in Encinitas in San Diego County with offices in Orange, Riverside and Santa Barbara counties. For more information, e-mail info@dudek.com.

Contact:
Christine Clinton
Dudek
760.479.4275
cclinton@dudek.com