Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2015WV219B

2015 WV State Water Conference

Institute: West Virginia
Year Established: 2015 Start Date: 2015-03-01 End Date: 2016-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $19,866 Total Non-Federal Funds: $6,456

Principal Investigators: Tamara Vandivort

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 2015, the WVWRI plans to hold a conference focusing on the impacts of energy extraction and agricultural practices on the States water resources. WVWRI will engage members of the West Virginia Advisory Committee for Water Research in Conference planning. 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, and WVU Extension Service. The approach of having a diverse 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 agricultural practices and energy extraction methods and the impact on the States water resources; 2) providing attendees with an awareness of on-going research into improved agricultural practices and energy extraction methods as they relate to water resources; 3) providing attendees with an awareness of related on-going legislation and policy; 4) inform policy development, and; 5) networking of the States water stakeholders.