About B&V

Black & Veatch Corporation is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, information and government markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients’ needs and provide sustainable benefits.

Solutions include conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, information technology, environmental, security design and consulting, and management consulting services.

The employee-owned company has more than 90 offices worldwide. Black & Veatch is ranked on the Forbes “500 Largest Private Companies in the United States” listing for 2004. The company’s Web site address is www.bv.com

About the 10,000 Rain Gardens Initiative

The idea for the 10,000 Rain Gardens initiative was generated as part of the city of Kansas City’s stormwater management efforts, with participation of its Stormwater Steering Committee. With the mayor’s adoption of the initiative, the program has been funded by Kansas City's Comprehensive City-Wide Stormwater Management Plan, called KC-One. Black & Veatch is the prime contractor for KC-One and has been active in the initiative by making various presentations, participating in training sessions and assisting with a mayoral-appointed advisory panel of civic leaders.

The 10,000 Rain Gardens initiative links citizens, corporate sponsors, educators and members of non-profit organizations with government officials to take action on important environmental issues like water quality and stormwater flow. Planting 10,000 actual rain gardens in the Kansas City area during the next few years should reduce potential problems with water pollution and stream degradation.

A rain garden is a shallow basin or depression planted with native plants. The native plants have deep roots that allow water to infiltrate into the soil. According to recent research, properly designed rain gardens can effectively trap and retain up to 99 percent of common pollutants in urban storm runoff, potentially improving water quality and promoting the conversion of some pollutants into less harmful compounds.

The Kansas City initiative recently was named as one of 15 nationwide finalists in the 2006 Waste Management/U.S. Conference of Mayors City Livability Awards Program. The winners will be announced at the June 3 conference in Las Vegas.

For those who were unable to attend the groundbreaking event, please contact George Minter, senior manager of media relations/communications, at 913-458-8001 or send an email to raingardens@bv.com to order a media kit.

For more news about upcoming rain garden activities at Black & Veatch, visit www.bvRainGardens.com. The Black & Veatch Rain Gardens website links into the 10,000 Rain Gardens website, www.RainKC.com.

©Black & Veatch Holding Company 2006. All Rights Reserved. The Black & Veatch name and logo are registered trademarks of Black & Veatch Holding Company. Other service marks and trademarks may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.

George Minter
Sr. Manager, Media Relations/Comms – B&V

Office: 1-913-458-8001

Mobile: 1-913-972-8811

Fax: 1-913-458-2012