3:05 p.m., June 15, 2007--The Northern New Castle County Groundwater Modeling Team, which includes members of the Delaware Geological Survey at UD and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), has received an External Partnering Award from the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District. The award is presented annually to the team that best exemplifies the Army's partnering goals.

The award was presented in Philadelphia as part of the Corps of Engineers' celebration of Engineers' Day, Thursday, June 14. It honors the group's successfully executed multi-year study of groundwater resources management in northern New Castle County. The group also was recognized for its modeling of near-term water usage and determining areas of surplus and deficit groundwater supplies.

The modeling effort and associated findings and recommendations provide a much better understanding of the multi-state Potomac aquifer system and will greatly assist in its responsible management, a spokesperson said. The team also was lauded for its professionalism and dedication.

Team members from the Delaware Geological Survey who were recognized during the ceremony include Tom McKenna, associate scientist; Richard Benson, adjunct member and Pete McLaughlin and Scott Andres, both senior scientists.

Also recognized was Stewart Lovell of DNREC and the following members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Troy Cosgrove, Mark Chamberlain, Steve England, John Bartholomeo, Francisco Barba, Barbara Stratton and Glen Stevens.