GLIN==> River Restoration Conference

[Christine Manninen <manninen@glc.org>]

Submitted by Irene Miles <miles@uiuc.edu>

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River Restoration Conference
www.iisgcp.org

River Restoration Conference Addresses Bioengineering

URBANA--Many rivers and streams in the nation have been impacted by 
human actions on land and in the water. As a result, stream banks are 
eroding at accelerated rates and natural riparian communities are 
degraded. Can the use of strategically-placed native plants make a 
difference? This question will be the focus of an upcoming conference at 
the Illinois Institute of Technology in Wheaton, Illinois.

On July 14 and 15, speakers from the region and from around the nation 
will discuss successes and failures of this relatively new strategy at a 
conference entitled "River Restoration Practices and Concepts--Riparian 
Bioengineering and Restoration Techniques." The event is sponsored by 
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and the Chicago Wilderness Consortium.

"Traditional stream repair methods are usually costly and destroy 
aquatic habitats along with the natural beauty of the stream," said 
Leslie Dorworth, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant aquatic ecology specialist. 
"For ten years now, bioengineering has offered less expensive and more 
environmentally sound options. The pairing of engineering principles and 
biological expertise can reduce erosion while maintaining a more natural 
stream."

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission has just completed a 
detailed review of bioengineering and stream restoration projects. 
"Landowners, resource managers, regulators, designers, 
environmentalists, scientists and engineers are invited to come hear the 
details of the review at this conference," said Dorworth.

In addition to many case studies, this conference features several 
speakers that are involved in national and international river 
restoration projects. Chester Watson, from Colorado State University is 
working with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in a comprehensive effort 
to develop ways to control erosion and channel degradation. Bill Annable 
from University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada is responsible for over 45 
river restoration projects throughout southern Ontario and British 
Columbia. He also has many projects in the U.S. Steve Gough of Little 
River Research and Design in Murphysboro, Illinois has designed urban 
stream projects in St. Louis as well as across the country.

Enrollment for this conference is limited so register as soon as 
possible. The cost is $135.00 if you register before July 1; $150.00 
after that date. Included with your registration is a DVD of the major 
study findings presented on the first day as well as footage from 
project sites. Also included are continental breakfasts on both days, 
lunch on the first day, and conference notes.

For more information about the conference, contact Leslie Dorworth at 
219-989-2726 or email dorworth@calumet.purdue.edu. You can find the 
registration form on the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Web site at 
www.iisgcp.org; look under Noteworthy News.



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