U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

• The Conservation Award for Respecting the Environment (CARE) was established in 1987 and is presented annually by the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Region.

• The regional award was designed to recognize and commend outstanding actions and accomplishments by those private companies engaged in offshore energy development and that support the broader conservation and environmental goals of the Department of the Interior, coastal States, and the Nation.

• There are opportunities to go beyond the safety operating regulations and guidelines and invest time, capital, and human resources specifically to enhance the environment and address issues that result from the multiple use of the marine environment.  The CARE Award Program recognizes these efforts and investments.

• Federal Outer Continental Shelf leaseholders and offshore operators, as well as any private company involved with offshore oil, gas, or sulphur operations, may be nominated for the award.  Nominations may be submitted by the Department of the Interior advisory committee, Minerals Management Service staff, other Federal and State agencies, environmental groups, private industry, or the public at large.

• The nominations are judged using the following criteria:

• Relevancy of the nominee's achievement in assisting the Department and coastal States in implementing a conservation or environmental policy, program, goal, or philosophy.

• Leadership exhibited in establishing a precedent and conducting environmental endeavors for other companies to emulate.

• Scope of influence:  the nominee's achievements have a regional or national application to the enhancement and preservation of the country's natural resources.

• Innovation demonstrated by nominee to use new technology, approaches, or methods environmentally superior to standard methods and practices.

• Commitment to enhancing and protecting the environment exhibited by nominee's contribution of time, effort, and resources.

• Community involvement in accomplishing conservation goals.