Dr. T. Allan Comp

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As coordinator of the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team and the Western Hardrock Watershed Team, Dr. T. Allan Comp manages more than 70 Americorps VISTA workers, who in turn recruit community volunteers, who have logged more than 125,000 hours helping address the toxic legacy of mining in some of the poorest parts of America.

For his work, Comp has received the 2009 Service to America Medal in the Environment from the Partnership for Public Service, the first time the organization has recognized the leader of a national service project with its highest award. Comp is a 2007 Purpose Prize Fellow,

“I am the one legislated position for that effort,” Comp told Encore.org. “There’s one other person who works with me. So the real challenge is how to use what little leverage we’ve got and my time to make something really helpful.”

Most of the VISTA volunteers are brand new college grads; some are retirees. Supported by a stipend, all make a full-time commitment to national service. They engage in water quality monitoring, education and outreach, sustainability, economic development initiatives and fundraising, along with professional development.

Comp created the teams as part of his work for the Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining. The Appalachian watershed team serves the eight-state coal region of Appalachia, while the Western team serves mining communities in Colorado and New Mexico.

“I am honored to receive this medal, but I would point out that the really important people are those who volunteer to help their communities day in and day out, and the (Americorps Vista workers) that help them do that," Comp said. "Volunteers truly are the backbone of this nation -- and of these teams that I get to coordinate. I hope they all recognize this award is really as much for them as it is for me.”

Nationally, the number of applications for AmeriCorps positions is up 217 percent over the past eight months. The popularity of national service is expected to rise this year with the Obama administration's emphasis on public service.

The Service to America Medal recognizes members of America's federal workforce who have made significant contributions to the country. Honorees are peer-nominated and chosen based on their commitment and innovation, as well as the impact of their work on addressing the needs of the nation.