On September 8, 2014, Mr. Robert Brem (COL(R), US Army), the new USACE Liaison Officer to US Forces Korea and 8th Army, and Mr. Ronald C. Eller, PE, visited the Alexandria offices of IWR to learn about IWR capabilities with a focus on tools and models that might be applicable to riverine and coastal water resources management issues being faced by the Republic of Korea. Mr. Brem and Mr Eller enthusiastically engaged in the discussion, which was facilitated by presentations from Director Bob Pietrowsky (overview of IWR’s programs), Dr. Will Logan (International Center for Integrated Water Resources Management (ICIWaRM)), Dr. Guillermo Mendoza (Alliance on Global Water Adaptation (AGWA)), Mr. Andrew Bruzewicz (Civil Military Emergency Preparedness (CMEP)), and Dr. Hal Cardwell (Conflict Resolution and Public Participation Center of Expertise (CPCX)).
Each of the presentations touched on the global aspects of integrated water resources management (IWRM) and provided examples of how it has been applied in other parts of Asia, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam. These regional examples highlighted emerging needs associated with water supply management, especially the effects of climate change on supply and the impacts of energy production and demographic shifts on water demand.
The meeting concluded with discussions on how capabilities from across USACE can be effectively aligned with USFK and 8th Army needs in South Korea.