The Education and Public Service Committee of UCOWR recommended two awards for 1998. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals, groups or agencies who have made significant contributions to increased public awareness of water resources development, use or management.

The committee presented the 1998 Public Service Award to Tom Cech for his work with the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, especially his role in the development of the "Children's Water Festival" and the "WaterWise Colorado" curriculum. The curriculum is a four-volume set, and each book has 200 pages of water-related activities for teachers and students. Mr. Cech is an advisor to the Poudre Learning Center on the University of Northern Colorado campus. The Poudre Learning Center is a user-friendly resource facility being developed to provide teachers, librarians, and other educators with a wide range of resources, including field activities based on the "WaterWise Colorado" curriculum. Mr. Cech helped to develop the "WellWatch Program," a monitoring well network that provides students with the opportunity to test for water quality and groundwater levels. The initiation of the Colorado Water Congress Education Committee (CCWCD) is another unique contribution Mr. Cech has made to the advancement of public education in water resources.

The committee presented the 1998 Education Award to Donald Vonnahme for his outstanding leadership of the Office of Water Resources and his many contributions toward solving interstate water resources problems. Mr. Vonnahme received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1964. He is a registered professional engineer in Illinois and Missouri. His extensive career includes U.S. Army (Korea) Operations Officer, 609^th Ordnance Company; Hydraulic Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation; Office Manager/Design Engineer, Metcalf & Eddy/Alstot, March & Guillou; Deputy Director and Director, Division of Water Resources, Illinois Department of Transportation; and at present Director, Office of Water Resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In 1993, Mr. Vonnahme received the Professional Engineering Management Award from the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers. He was selected for the Government Professional Development Award in 1986 by the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and in 1987 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. He received the Excellence in Flood Hazard Management in 1985 from the Association of State Floodplain Managers; Top 10 Public Works "Leaders of the Year" for 1985 from American Public Works Association; and the Governor's Superior Achievement Award in 1971 from Governor Richard B. Ogilvie.