Conservation Law Foundation’s Christopher Kilian Receives 2011 Anne M. Blackburn Award from Charles River Watershed Association

CONTACT:
Karen Wood, CLF, (617) 850-1722 or kwood@clf.org

BOSTON, MA  March 31, 2011 – Christopher Kilian, Director of Clean Water and Healthy Forests at the Conservation Law Foundation, was honored last night by the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) with its 2011 Anne M. Blackburn Award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions over a career that have resulted in singular improvements for the Charles River, its watershed and our natural environment.

“The Anne M. Blackburn Award is CRWA’s premier award given for outstanding achievement,” said Bob Zimmerman, Executive Director of CRWA.  “Chris’s superlative water work, both in the Charles and across New England, has greatly enhanced the health of New England’s water bodies, and those accomplishments merit recognition.” Zimmerman presented Kilian with the award at CRWA’s annual awards ceremony, held last night at the Newton Marriott.

Led by Kilian, CLF’s Clean Water team and CRWA have worked together on numerous cases aimed at protecting the Charles River for the health and enjoyment of all who use it. Years of tenacious advocacy have resulted in important victories, including, most recently, in February 2011, when EPA issued a revised water quality permit for the GenOn Kendall Cogeneration plant in Cambridge, MA (formerly known as Mirant Kendall) that will nearly eliminate the discharge of millions of gallons of heated water into the lower Charles River from the plant and restore the health of the river’s ecosystem.

Also in 2010, CLF’s and CWRA’s longstanding stormwater case against the Massachusetts Highway Department for violations of the Clean Water Act resulted in the installation of modern stormwater controls needed to prevent further pollution at several of the most degraded sites in the state.

“The Charles River is a critical resource for the communities of Greater Boston. It’s our obligation to ensure the Charles is healthy and accessible today and for future generations,” Kilian said. “I feel fortunate for the opportunity to do the important work of making the Charles fishable and swimmable and tackling water pollution issues throughout the region, and I am grateful for the chance to collaborate with a talented team of CLF advocates and partners in pursuit of those goals. It is an honor to be recognized by the Charles River Watershed Association for our hard work and successes.”

Kilian has also led efforts to reduce pollution in Lake Champlain, Great Bay Estuary, Cape Cod’s coastal waters, the Blackstone River and Narragansett Bay. That list will soon grow to include Long Island Sound.

Prior to joining CLF in 1999, Kilian spent eight years as General Counsel at the Vermont Natural Resources Council. He received his law degree and Masters in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.

The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. Using the law, science and the market, CLF creates solutions that preserve natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy region-wide. Founded in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.