Prince William County Recognized for Commitment to Protecting the Environment

Prince William County has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ, for its commitment and proactive management approach in protecting the environment.

The DEQ’s Environmental Excellence Program recognized the county government with the Exemplary Environmental Enterprise, or E3, designation for its comprehensive efforts to implement proactive environmental management systems. In addition, the Department of Public Works achieved the Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise, or E4, designation, the program’s highest level, for demonstrating continuous and sustainable environmental progress, robust community involvement and compliance with environmental regulations.

To earn the E3 level awards, organizations submit paperwork with evidence showing that they have environment management systems in place. E4 level awards come to organizations when they develop new ways to protect the environment.

“E4 is a big deal. It shows that an organization is truly committed to the environment, and it helps promote compliance in everything they do,” said VDEQ Regional Director Richard Doucette. “Prince William County has been just great to work with. You hold the gold standard in our eyes.”

County actions that helped earn the awards include protecting watershed, strong fuel tank inspection program, helping residents clean up the community and a chemical management program that has helped reduce the generation of hazardous chemicals by more than 80 percent.

Prince William County is a long-time participant in the program that aims to provide organizations and facilities options to conduct voluntary activities and find ways to help the environment.

“A lot of hard work goes into preserving the environment and much of it goes unseen,” said Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson. “It’s an honor for the county's agencies to be recognized with these awards. This achievement only goes to show that Prince William County is committed to preserving the environment and, by extension, the health, safety and well-being of the community.”

For more information, visit the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) website.