Conference News
ASCE Federal Wetlands Regulatory Workshop
At the request of the Wetlands Regulatory Workshop Invitation Subcommittee, more than 50 engineering and environmental professionals, government leaders and academic experts gathered at Rice University in Houston, TX in April 2008. to discuss the future of wetland regulation in the United States.
The Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute of ASCE hosted the event because this is a critical issue for future sustainable development in the U.S., ASCE needs to have a strong , clear position and direction. ASCE can make a significant contribution toward national wetlands protection by creating a consensus among environmental and engineering professionals on the best way to adapt to a post-SWANCC, post-Rapanos regulatory world.
To view the event participation list, please go here. You also can find out more about the program here. Information about the event speakers and presentors is available here.
Presentations: Material from the event talks, debates and discussion sessions is being posted below as it is received. To submit materials, please e-mail jmoulton@asce.org.
Welcome Presentation by Conference Organizer Dominic Izzo, ASCE, Exponent
Introduction from Sallie Keller-McNulty, Dean of the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University
Plenary Session #1: Jonathan Adler & Jim Tripp - Should the States or the Federal Government be the Lead for Protecting Wetlands?
Plenary Session #2: Bill Mitsch – Wetlands Form vs Function: Is it important? Can it be regulated?
Plenary Session #3: Chip Smith – The Regulatory World After Rapanos and SWANCC: Challenges and Opportunities for the USACE Regulatory Program.
Plenary Session #4: Scott Yaich – The Scientific Foundations of Wetland Regulation.
Special Presentation: Dr. John Anderson – Rice University –Rapid Episodic Changes in Gulf Coast Estuaries During the Holocene.
Breakout Sessions: WRW participants were assigned to three discussion groups. Notes from the three breakout sessions are available below.
Program Wrap-Up: Go here to see a summary of participant responses offered during the final session.
Event Reading Materials: Go here to learn more about wetlands and wetlands regulation.
New Army-EPA Mitigation Rule
Questions/Comments: Please contact COPRI Director Tom Chase at tchase@asce.org or copri@asce.org or workshop organizer Dominic Izzo at dizzo@exponent.com.
