Conference Theme: Citizen engagement and collaboration with agencies and organizations over the past several years have brought about positive changes and accomplishments in the Tallapoosa River Basin. There remains a great need to maintain, protect, and improve the water quality of the watershed. This conference will provide information and a forum for discussions regarding the implications of the recent “Outstanding Alabama Water” (OAW) classification for a portion of the Tallapoosa River and the designation of Lake Martin as the first “Treasured Alabama Lake” (TAL). In addition, citizens who have been leaders in water quality protection and improvement throughout the Tallapoosa River Basin will share how they are addressing current and future challenges from diverse perspectives.
PRESENTATIONS
8:30 – 9:00 am Conference Registration and Packet Pick-Up for Pre Registered Attendees
9:00 – 9:10 am Welcome: Mayor Barbara Young, Mayor of Alexander City, and Dr. Steve Franks, President of Central Alabama Community College
9:10 – 9:20 am Conference Overview: Dr. Bill Deutsch, Director of Alabama Water Watch, Auburn University; presentation
9:20 – 9:40 am Martin Dam Relicensing Update: Jim Crew, Manager of Alabama Power Company Hydro Services Group
Morning Session (9:40 – 1:30):
Outstanding Alabama Water Classification (OAW) and
Treasured Alabama Lake Designation (TAL)
9:40 – 9:50 am Introduction and Moderator: Mike Kensler, Director of the Auburn University Office of Sustainability
9:50 – 10:10 am The Nuts and Bolts of TAL and OAW in the Tallapoosa Basin: Lynn Sisk, Chief of the Water Quality Branch of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management; presentation
10:10 – 10:30 am TAL/OAW and Economic Development: Don McClellan, Executive Director of the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance; presentation
10:30 – 11:00 am Break and Poster Session
11:00 – 11:20 am TAL/OAW and Effects on Lake Front Development: Hagan Wagoner, President of ProgreCiv Group, Inc.; presentation
11:20 – 11:40 am TAL/OAW and Real Estate: John Coley, Owner of Lake Martin Voice Realty
11:40 -12:00 noon TAL/OAW and Tourism: Kenneth Boone, Chairman of Tallapoosa Publishers
12:00 – 12:30 pm Panel Discussion
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 pm Lunch Speaker: Jim Felder, Executive Director of the Alabama Scenic River Trail; presentation
Afternoon Session (1:30 – 4:30) pm:
Individuals Making a Difference in the Tallapoosa River Basin
1:30 – 1:40 pm Introduction and Moderator: Terry Martin, President of the Tallapoosa County Farmers Federation
1:40 – 2:00 pm Upper Tallapoosa Watershed: Every One Makes a Difference: Missy Middlebrooks, Senior Environmental Scientist of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management; presentation
2:00 – 2:20 pm Preparing the Next Generation through Environmental Education: Laurie Barrett, Teacher for the Gifted Program at Radney School, and students; presentation
2:20 – 2:40 pm Roadside Dumping and Litter Control in the Tallapoosa Basin: John Thompson, Vice President of the Lake Martin Resource Association; presentation
2:40 – 3:10 pm Break and Poster Session
3:10 – 3:30 pm Implementing the Saugahatchee Watershed Management Plan: Eric Reutebuch, SWaMP Project Coordinator Alabama Water Watch, Auburn University; presentation
3:30 – 3:50 pm Low Impact Development in the Tallapoosa Basin: Charlene LeBleu, Associate Professor of the Landscape Architecture Program at Auburn University; presentation
3:50 – 4:20 pm Panel Discussion
4:20 – 4:40 pm Closing Remarks: Buddy Morgan, General Manager of the Montgomery Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board
4:40 pm Final Door Prize Drawings
5:00 pm Adjourn
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