National experts will convene at the Hyatt for panel discussions focusing, on 21st Century water management of the Great Lakes in general while specifically looking at the benefits of green infrastructure, 'Smart, Green, & Clean' approaches to water management, legislative vehicles at all levels of government, and Federal funding opportunities. Case studies, including successes in Cleveland and Toledo, as well as Buffalo, will be presented. Panel discussions will begin with expert speakers, but half of the conference will be devoted to Q & A from the audience.
A full agenda can be found here: http://www.cleanwaternetwork.org/files/SGCCaucus_NY.pdf
An
environmental justice grant enables any member of a community-based
organization to attend a panel discussion for free. Members of the general public
can attend single discussions for free as well, but the full two-day conference
carries a fee of $65. Pre-registration is required and can be done on the Clean Water Network website.
The biggest problem has been solved and that is assuring no water is ever diverted from the great lakes.
But the true test of great lakes water quality isnt the level of pollution or water clarity but our fisheries. If we have no fish that are edible and in such supply that we can have a harbor of fishing boats, then we do not have good water quality.
That means discussion on planting trees and shrubs that remediate toxins where no cleanup will happen.
That means addressing stormwater and sewage over-flows, road runoff
That means addressing agricultural and residential pesticides and fertilizers
and a huge destroyer of our water...legal and illegal drugs and pharmaceuticals that cannot be removed by current water treatment methods.
We cannot even preserve wetlands...how can we possibly find solutions for these bigger issues...still they met be discussed.