The U.S. Gulf Coast has experienced more than its typical share of disasters in the past decade. Extreme weather events and manmade disasters have challenged the area regarding prudent water and groundwater management — too much, not enough where needed, or water quality challenges. Coastal and inland communities, as well as thriving urban centers, face continuing and variable challenges on how best to cope with large-scale catastrophes that threaten water resources from both the quality and quantity perspectives. Broken levees and storm surges can impart saltwater contamination or intrusion into local coastal groundwater supplies. Overpumping of groundwater for both water supplies and construction dewatering can induce subsidence in already-threatened lowland areas. Safe solid waste disposal for storm debris and construction waste is a challenge as multiple natural disasters stress landfills that were already near capacity. What technologies, new tools, and technological advancements can be applied to meet these challenges? And, as a result, what opportunities are being created for groundwater professionals in the Gulf Coast region?
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The keynote address will be presented by Tom Michel, deputy general manager, Harris-Galveston Subsidence District, and general manager, Fort Bend Subsidence District (both districts are located in the Houston, Texas, area).
Anthony Duplechin, director of the Louisiana Capital Area Ground Water Conservation Commission, will share the challenges the five-parish area has faced from saltwater intrusion to devastating natural disasters and how its efforts have conserved and preserved the resource.
This session will be presented by Dr. J. Winston Porter, a leading environmental and management consultant whose recent experience includes solid waste management, waste site remediation, urban rivers cleanup, agricultural biotechnology, water and energy resources, and global climate change. He is president of Environmental Strategies in Savannah, Georgia.
As few issues today elicit more public response than the topic of hydraulic fracturing as we attempt to meet our energy needs, anyone working in the groundwater industry should have an awareness of what the actual hydraulic fracturing process entails and the ancillary issues often associated. This presentation by Ken Nichols of Ch2M Hill will address both the scientific and technical aspects of the process.
Marlon Cook, Jim Welsh, and Jamie Crawford — representatives from the Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi — will address their most critical groundwater issues along with their notable successes.
Marvin F. Glotfelty, RG, will present “Life-Cycle Economic Analysis of Water Wells — Considerations for Design and Construction.”
Glotfelty is cofounder and principal hydrogelogist with Clear Creek Associates, a groundwater consulting firm. During his professional career, he has participated in almost every aspect of the hydrogeologic sciences including recharge projects, water supply studies, water rights issues, groundwater quality, well installation programs, and well rehabilitation projects. He has also given more than 60 presentations on hydrogeologic and water well topics.
Read more about the lecture and lecturer. (The McEllhiney Lecture Series is made possible by a grant from Franklin Electric Co.)
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Information current as of 10-2-2012. For further information or help, e-mail customerservice@ngwa.org or call 800 551.7379 (614 898.7791).
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Baton Rouge Marriott5500 Hilton AvenueBaton Rouge, Louisiana 70808800 228.9290 (reservations)225 924.5000fax 225 926.8152
Accommodations: NGWA has secured a limited block of rooms on a first come, first served basis at the group rate of $99 per night. These rates apply to the NGWA room block and are valid until the September 21, 2012 cutoff, unless our block has been filled before that date. When making your reservations, be sure to mention you are attending this NGWA program to receive this group rate. Remember, you are responsible for securing your own reservations. For guest check-in and checkout times, please contact the hotel directly.