Averting Future Water Resources Crises Through Collaboration and Participation

ALEXANDRIA, VA – November 30, 2009. IWR Scientists and Engineers regularly participate in associations such as the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and their activities. IWR also collaborates directly with organizations such as AWRA. For instance, in 2007 IWR and AWRA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a goal of enhancing the use of effective water resources development and management policies by working in partnership with other national and international organizations. The two organizations share an interest in promoting scholarship, professionalism, innovation and capacity building.

Visiting Scholar Stacy Langsdale is Secretary of the Board of AWRA's National Capital Region (NCR) chapter. Recently Dr. Langsdale and Dr. Norm Starler attended a seminar, "Averting Future Water Resources Crises: Maryland's Perspective," hosted by Dr. Robert M. Summers, Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment. Dr. Summers discussed the state of Maryland's current and future water resources as well as actions, such as policies and research, to avoid future crises.

Future seminar topics include "Virtual Water," a Federal agency panel on water resources issues, and a local field trip to a project site in Virginia. Participation at such events help IWR stay abreast of local and regional issues as well as national issues. Dr. Langsdale notes that the local NCR chapter, located in the D.C. area, has the unique position of having a federal focus as well as a local focus. Dr. Langsdale is a National Research Council Research Associate at IWR.

Learn more: