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Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. Joins Inaugural Event for Texas Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership

Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. (Horizon) met with other corporations and public agencies on February 18, 2003 to inaugurate the newly established Texas Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (Texas CWRP). This kick-off event was held at The Houstonian Hotel in Houston, Texas and featured speakers from both the public and private sector. Tom O'Connor, President of Duke Energy Gas Transmission, gave the welcoming address; US Congressman Chris Bell (D- Houston) and J. Steven Griles, Deputy Secretary for the US Department of the Interior, were the Keynote Speakers. Emilio de Cardenas, a vice president of environment, health and safety at Duke Energy and Chair of the Texas CWRP Advisory Board, gave the concluding remarks.

The Texas CWRP operates as a private sector initiative, working with the Coastal America Partnership (a partnership of federal, state and local governments and private alliances to address problems affecting the nation's coasts, waterways and wetlands) and state agencies. It is dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and restoring our nation's critically important wetlands, coasts, and waterways.

"We see this as a great opportunity to benefit the environment that we wouldn’t otherwise have," said Lee Sherrod, Horizon principal and Texas CWRP Advisory Board member. "By working together and combining resources, companies and agencies can accomplish so much more."

Assisted by Coastal America, Horizon and the Texas CWRP are finding ways to help our coastal ecosystems in this region and beyond. Coastal America was founded by former President George Bush in 1991. It is not one agency or program, but a vast network of corporations, federal agencies, and state and local governments working together to protect our delicate coastal resources.

Horizon is a corporate member of this program, along with other companies such as Duke Energy, ENSR International, Conoco Phillips, and the Panhandle Companies. These companies, and others in the private and public sectors, help raise awareness of coastal environmental issues and also initiate projects that tackle coastal problems.

Horizon and the Panhandle Companies, Founding Partners of Texas CWRP, were presented with a certificate of recognition for their membership in and contributions to Texas CWRP.

The Texas CWRP's inaugural project, the San Jacinto marsh restoration, will include marsh improvement; extension of the boardwalk; and the creation of an observation deck. The monument and surrounding area attracted approximately one million visitors in 2002.

"Our project," said de Cardenas "should enhance the experience for years to come."

While projects such as the San Jacinto restoration include hard work and manpower, corporate donations are generally matched 3:1 by federal/state grants. Plus, a minimum of 90% of all funds are to be used to implement on-the-ground restoration and protection projects.

For further information on the Texas Coastal Wetlands Restoration Partnership visit http://www.texascwrp.org.