Conference Chair: Michael Lilly, 907-479-8891, mlilly@gwscientific.com
Conference Technical Chair: Horacio Toniolo, 907-474-7977, ffhat@uaf.edu

The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) is pleased to announce its Spring Specialty Conference "Managing Water Resources and Development in a Changing Climate". The Conference will be held May 4-6, 2009 in Anchorage, Alaska.

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Public and scientific awareness of changing climate conditions is increasing each year. These changes represent themselves in many ways: more frequent and extreme weather events, droughts in the southeastern and western states, potential for increasing flooding and coastal erosion damage, increasing irrigation and depletion of aquifers, and melting permafrost and reductions in arctic sea ice in Alaska. Understanding these changes and related management challenges is an increased focus for water resources professionals. Sustaining current communities, while allowing for continued economic development will require continued advancements in water-resource understanding, conservation, water-use practices, and improved management approaches. Education across all levels will be needed to move communities forward to help develop and implement sustainable water-resources development.

AWRA has been a leader in the national dialogue on many aspects of climate change and water resources. The U.S. National Assessment on the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change took place in the late 1990's with significant contributions by AWRA and its membership. Since the National Assessment, the AWRA has continued to promote active dialogue and conversation on climate and water-management issues through publications and specialty conferences. The water-assessment part of this effort resulted in a 1999 Spring Specialty Conference on Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change to Water Resources of the United States, and was followed by the publication of more than 30 articles in JAWRA.

What has transpired in the 10 years since the 1999 conference? How have the predictions and concerns presented in the assessment of these issues developed? We invite you to come, participate, discuss, and make connections on these issues on the 10th anniversary of the 1999 Specialty Conference. We will have a full agenda covering water-resource issues from around the country set in the backdrop of America's frontier, Alaska, during its fiftieth year since statehood.

Meeting topics will include meeting future water-supply needs, drought and flood co-management, ecosystem impacts, and water-management challenges. Additionally, since the Arctic is a place where change is expected to occur sooner and with greater effect, Alaska will be an ideal place to examine the many changes that are happening locally and effects on meeting the young state's development interests and the nation's energy needs. Interested water-resource professionals are encouraged to submit abstracts on these and other related topics of national and international interest. This meeting promises to be one of a kind in showcasing current thinking in this dynamic field. The outcomes of this conference will help set the foundation for continued dialogue and conversations on how to manage and adapt to changing water-resources conditions and needs for many years to come. Please contact Michael Lilly, Conference Chair, for further information.

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