Water Resources: Adaptation & Advancement

Location: The Conference Center at Mercer (Just a few miles from Princeton and Trenton, NJ - http://conferencecenteratmercer.mccc.edu/index.shtml)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Abstracts are sought for oral presentations and posters relevant to the conference theme: “Water Resources: Adaptation and Advancement”. Abstracts will be selected for presentation based on their technical and policy merit, currency and relevance to conference topics (see below). The conference committee may select an abstract submitted for an oral presentation to exhibit a poster if all presentation slots are filled. Presentation length will be strictly held to 25 minutes, with an additional 5 minutes for questions and answers. All conference presenters are required to register for the conference.

The conference committee’s goal is a program that will include a wide-range of water resources topics to interest practitioners and researchers from a variety of disciplines. The area covered by the five AWRA Sections includes a wide variety of ecosystems ranging from rivers and streams and lakes to estuaries to oceans. Our goal is to provide an interesting and informative program that will provide attendees with lessons and tools to apply in their watershed.

The conference committee invites attendees to present their research, planning and implementation projects in this unique, multidisciplinary setting. Presentations that address the challenges faced by municipalities, utilities & nonprofits in addressing water resource issues are particularly encouraged.

The committee invites the submission of abstracts that address one of the following topics or other relevant water resource topics:

• Emerging issues in surface and ground water quality
• Advances in water quality monitoring and assessment
• Developing innovative solutions to water resources challenges
• Addressing climate change
• Creative partnerships and funding solutions
• Stormwater management and green infrastructure implementation
• Finding a balance between flooding and water supply
• Estuary restoration
• Water allocation for diverse needs (surface & groundwater)
• Technological advances that improve visualization of groundwater resources
• Strategies and funding mechanisms for municipalities to comply with water resource regulations
• Special Sessions: Participants may propose special sessions consisting of 3-4 panelists on a particular topic or region. Each special session will last approximately 90 minutes (including questions. Special sessions provide the opportunity for a group of speakers to focus on one particular topic or region. The submitted abstract should describe the special session theme/topic and the individual presentation. Suggested topics:
• Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and Beyond– Overview of impacts and case studies on recovery/restoration
• Municipal challenges in water resources – multi-state perspectives

Review: Abstracts will be reviewed by the Technical Program Committee for originality, technical merit, currency and relevance to the conference topics. Authors’ suggestions for topic and format placement (oral, panel or poster) will be considered, but the Committee will make the final decision. Abstracts received after the deadline may not be accepted.

Notification of Acceptance/Placement: Notification will be made via email to the corresponding author.

Abstract format:

• MS Word or compatible format.
• Name, title, affiliation, email address and phone number for the main contact/presenting author, followed by name, affiliation and email address of co-authors. Please include a short biography for the presenting author.
• Body of abstract - no more than 500 words. No graphics.
• Indicate format preference: Oral Presentation, Special Session or Poster
• Schedule
• Abstract submittal deadline: Thursday, March 28, 2013
• Notification of acceptance: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• Revised abstract (if required) submittal deadline: Monday, July 1, 2013

Submission procedure: E-mail abstracts to mac2013abstracts@gmail.com. Submit questions regarding abstract submission to mac2013abstracts@gmail.com.

 Cancellation Policy: Late cancellations and failures to give scheduled presentations are disruptive and leave gaps in the program that are distracting to all attendees. Before submitting an abstract, authors should be confident that they will attend the conference and make the presentation. If the presenter finds he/she cannot attend, appropriate substitute presenters will be accepted.

Conference Highlights:

• Two days of keynote speakers and concurrent sessions
• Poster sessions – presenters have the option of presenting their work in a poster format, a great option for students!
• Exhibits – The AWRA exhibit hall will provide the opportunity for attendees and exhibitors to connect and build partnerships. For more information, visit MAC2013.wildapricot.org.
• Thursday Evening Banquet: No Mid-Atlantic AWRA Conference would be complete without the annual banquet. This year, NJ-AWRA is pleased to welcome conference attendees to their annual Water New Year’s Eve Celebration. The Water New Year’s Eve Celebration is a highlight of the NJ Section’s year, and in 2013 we expect it to be a wonderful time to meet new people and re-connect with old friends from throughout the region.