GLIN==> Upcoming Hands-On Workshop: Swan Creek Watershed Management System

Contact: Glenn O'Neil, Institute of Water Research-Michigan State
University, (517) 353-8587, oneilg at msu.edu

Hands-On Workshop of the Swan Creek Watershed Management System
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time: 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM (lunch will be provided)
Location: Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) in
Toledo, OH

On November 10th, 2009, the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments
(TMACOG) will host a hands-on workshop of the Swan Creek Watershed
Management System, a set of new on-line tools to aid local decision-makers
in the protection of water quality and quantity in the Swan Creek River
basin of Northwest Ohio.  Representatives from Michigan State University and
Purdue University will present information on water quality and quantity
models that they generated for the Swan Creek region.  They will then lead
participants through hands-on activities of the on-line decision support
tools that they developed around those models and integrated into the Swan
Creek Watershed Management System. 

Attendees will learn how to utilize these tools to prioritize conservation
efforts, evaluate BMP and land cover change scenarios, and visualize
environmental risk areas within the Swan Creek watershed.  The workshop will
appeal to a broad range of Individuals and organizations concerned about
water quality and quantity issues in Northwest Ohio.  Soil and Water
Conservation district staff, drain commissioners, watershed groups, urban
and rural planners, environmental engineers, in addition to government
environmental protection agencies are strongly encouraged to attend.
Attendees can bring their own laptops to use for the hands-on activities;
however, computers will be provided.  Lunch will also be provided.

The development of these water quality models and the Swan Creek Watershed
Management System was funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo
District.  Specifically, the Corps funds were authorized by Section 516(e)
of the Water Resourced Development Act of 1996.  This provision calls for
the Secretary of the Army to consult/coordinate with the Great Lakes states
in developing "a tributary sediment transport model for each major river
system or set of major river systems depositing sediment into a Great Lakes
federally authorized commercial harbor, channel maintenance project site, or
Area of Concern identified under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement."
Michigan State University, Purdue University, and the Great Lakes Commission
are providing technical and administrative support to the Corps on this
important initiative.  For more information on the Great Lakes Tributary
Modeling Program, please visit www.glc.org/tributary. The workshop will run
from 9:30AM - 2:00PM, with Michigan State and Purdue representatives
remaining until 3:00PM to provide additional guidance and discussion
opportunities for attendees.  TMACOG's offices are located at 300 Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive, Toledo, Ohio 43604. 

There is no registration fee for the workshop; however, space will be
limited and you must pre-register to attend.  Please confirm your attendance
on-line at:
http://www.hydra.iwr.msu.edu/registrations/SwanCreek/registration.asp. 

Alternatively, you can contact Glenn O'Neil at the Institute of Water
Research-Michigan State University by email (oneilg at msu.edu) or phone
(517-353-8587).  Please RSVP by November 6th.