Joseph DiBello

RTCA 2001 NATIONAL STAFF AWARD PROGRAM NOMINATION
Submitted by Glenn Eugster, Assistant Regional Director,
National Capital Region, National Park Service
February 15, 2001

Name of the Proposed Awardee: Joseph DiBello, Chief of
Planning, NPS-NER, Philadelphia, PA.

Activities Meriting Award: Mr. DiBello manages the RTCA
Program in Philadelphia. He has been involved with RTCA since it first began, under the name of the State & Local River Conservation Assistance Program, in FY 1980. Working with his staff he has been directly involved in all aspects of this program including project management, program liaison, management, budget and implementation.

I believe that Mr. DiBello is worthy of this recognition for his achievements in designing and implementing permanent conservation and recreation partnership agreements. Although his achievements throughout his career with RTCA are noteworthy, I believe that he should be recognized for his contributions to NPS partnership efforts this past fiscal year related to:

National designation of the White Clay Creek in DE and
Lower Delaware River in PA and NJ as National Wild, Scenic & Recreational Rivers
National designation of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley
and Schuylkill River Heritage Areas in PA and the Wheeling Heritage Area in WV

Mr. DiBello's role in each of these efforts includes helping to develop a locally-based conservation and recreation effort; preparing consensus-based reports to identify alternatives for future local action; designing locally sensitive ways for federal programs to support these community initiatives; and helping community leaders local governments and States take tangible actions to ensure lasting partnerships.

Mr. DiBello and his staff through the RTCA Program from the start supported each of these National designations. Joe and his group built trust, provided technical assistance to collaboratively prepare plans, assess attitudes and examine alternatives over a period of 10 to 20 years. Working in an area of strong State and local home rule and private property rights, with varying budget support, Mr. DiBello maintained a vision, commitment and the personal and organizational relationships necessary to put these partnerships in place permanently.

At a time when we are all tempted to look for quick results Mr. DiBello, and his team, have proven that there still is a place for focused, quality hard work over an extended period of time. His perseverance, and the support of the RTCA Program, has enabled the National Park Service to formalize sustainable partnerships for these special places. His work sets a standard for partnerships within NPS and is worthy of recognition.