Environmental and government leaders from throughout the mid-Atlantic region will gather in Wilmington, September 13-15 to advance strategies for improving the environmental health of the Delaware River.
"This is an important opportunity to coordinate our actions in protecting the Delaware River as an environmental, recreational and commercial resource," said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. "The summit will allow us to set mutual goals for working as partners to continue making the river healthier."
The summit — entitled "Watershed Summit on the Delaware, Making the Connection"–is sponsored by EPA and the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). It is part of the national water tour sponsored by EPA’s Office of Water that covers a wide range of environmental issues by encouraging communication, outreach and partnerships.
Participants will gather at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Wilmington Monday afternoon after a signing ceremony on the Wilmington waterfront where officials from four states and the federal government will sign a water resources plan for the Delaware River Basin.
"EPA is committed to working with its partners to improve and protect the Delaware River Basin. This summit is a featured stop on EPA’s 2004 National Water Tour because it focuses on collaboration as a key to success in addressing local water quality issues," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, the assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Water.
Grumbles will be the keynote speaker today. Following Grumbles’ presentation, a panel session is scheduled to discuss how the water resources plan for the Delaware basin provides a framework for water resources management.
Other sessions at the three-day summit will address: impacts of land-use changes on water quality; stakeholder empowerment; factors that promote innovative partnerships; landscape analysis; environmentally sensitive development; and effective stormwater management.
Since the summit is based on learning and working together, several partnership and environmental education workshops will include success stories and suggestions for the attendees. Participants and presenters include representatives of academia, small and large business owners, government employees, nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, and citizen organizations.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
