Langley – The Grand River Dam Authority’s popular “Rush For Brush” program – established a decade ago to help enhance the fisheries habitat on GRDA lake waters – is the recipient of the 2017 “State Government Program” award, presented by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB).
GRDA received the award at the KOB Environmental Excellence Celebration on Saturday, November 17, in Norman.
The GRDA Ecosystems Management Department created the program as a way to enhance the fisheries habitat in the waters of Grand Lake, Lake Hudson and the W.R. Holway Reservoir.
At annual workshops, GRDA supplies the materials and volunteers supply the labor to help construct these habitats from concrete blocks and PVC pipe. 
Designed to protect fry and fingerlings in the water, the artificial habitats will stay in place longer than a natural brush pile in the lake.
After construction, volunteers take the finished habitats and put them at a location of their choosing in the lake.
Since the first workshop in 2007, the program’s popularity and participation has continued to rise.
At the same time, the fisheries of GRDA lake waters (as well as the fishing reputation among anglers) has also continued to grow.
GRDA Vice President of Ecosystems and Lake Management Dr. Darrell Townsend and GRDA Ecosystems Management Administrative Coordinator Jacklyn Jaggars were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the organization.
Also representing GRDA at the event were Vice President of Scenic Rivers Operations Ed Fite (who was named to the KOB Board of Directors earlier this month); GRDA Superintendent of Shoreline Enforcement Scott Horton and GRDA Biologist Dustin Browning.
According to keepoklahomabeautiful.com, KOB is a statewide nonprofit organization founded in 1965 and is a state affiliate of “Keep America Beautiful” which is a nonprofit organization with a national network of nearly 1,000 participating organizations working together to improve communities through litter prevention, waste reduction and beautification.
Its mission is to empower Oklahoma citizens to preserve and enhance the state’s natural beauty and ensure a healthy, sustainable environment.”
Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency.
Featured Photo Caption:
GRDA’s “Rush For Brush” program was the recipient of the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful (KOB) “State Government Program” at the recent KOB Environmental Excellence Celebration. Representing GRDA at the banquet were (from left) Vice President of Scenic Rivers Operations (and new KOB Board Member) Ed Fite; Superintendent of Shoreline Enforcement Scott Horton; Ecosystems Management Administrative Coordinator Jacklyn Jaggars; Vice President of Ecosystems and Lake Management Dr. Darrell Townsend; and Biologist Dustin Browning. (photo courtesy Keep Oklahoma Beautiful).
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