Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2014WV213B

2014 Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Conference

Institute: West Virginia
Year Established: 2014 Start Date: 2014-03-01 End Date: 2015-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $20,511 Total Non-Federal Funds: $41,021

Principal Investigators: Tamara Vandivort, glenn waldron

Abstract: Each year the West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) at West Virginia University sponsors or co-sponsors a water conference of either state or regional scope. These conferences bring together a diverse and interested cross section of stakeholders to share in a variety of water-related research initiatives, policy implementation, and technological advancements. As such, these conferences provide a forum for interested parties to engage in a constructive and respectful dialogue about the future one of our most vital resources water. For 2014, WVWRI along with other mid-Atlantic water research centers/institutes will be collaborating to coordinate and execute a Mid-Atlantic Regional Water Conference. Preliminary discussions have already been taking place between WVWRI and the Virginia Water Resources Research Center at Virginia Tech to identify other potential partners, a conference theme, and potential speakers. In addition to the collaboration among water research centers/institutes, WVWRI will also keep members of the West Virginia Advisory Committee for Water Research engaged and informed regarding Conference decisions. This Committee includes representatives from the U.S. Geological Survey, W.V. Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, WV Coal Association, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, W.V. Division of Natural Resources, WV Bureau for Public Health, U.S. Department of Energy, WVU Extension Service, and the public. The approach of using such a Conference Planning Committee has proven to work very well in developing previous conferences. The objectives of the conference will include: 1) expanding the awareness of current water issues specific to water supply and infrastructure; 2) providing attendees with an awareness of on-going water research as it relates to water infrastructure; 3) providing attendees with an awareness of related on-going legislation and policy; 4) inform policy development, and; 5) networking of the Regions water stakeholders.