GLIN==> Registration open for 2011 conference for the U.S. Areas of Concern program, Oct. 13-14 in Detroit, Mich.

2011 Conference for the U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern Program

Celebrating Progress; Confronting Challenges; Moving Forward!

 

Registration Now Open:  <http://www.glc.org/rap/aocconference11.html>
http://www.glc.org/rap/aocconference11.html

 

(Note: Registration for the Detroit River dinner cruise must be done through
the AOC conference registration site. All Great Lakes Week participants are
invited to join this event, being held Thursday evening, Oct. 13. You do not
need to attend the AOC conference. See below for additional details.)

 

October 13-14, 2011

Westin Book Cadillac Hotel

Detroit, Michigan

888-627-7150

 

Conference Overview

The annual Areas of Concern (AOC) conference will convene participants from
the 30 U.S. AOCs to review recent developments affecting the AOC program;
discuss approaches for implementing delisting targets; build capacity to
implement on-the-ground restoration actions; identify opportunities to
address AOC restoration priorities under the Great Lakes Restoration
Initiative; improve linkages between the AOCs, LaMPs and other programs; and
consider actions that will strengthen the regional U.S. AOC program. 

 

Program Highlights

U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has been invited to provide the keynote
remarks and Dr. John Hartig will discuss his new book Burning Rivers:
Revival of Four Urban-Industrial Rivers that Caught on Fire. The conference
will feature breakout sessions on the following topics: 

 

.         Confronting challenges, overcoming obstacles and making mid-course
corrections when implementing your habitat restoration project 

.         Partnering with industry and local governments to implement Great
Lakes Legacy Act projects and other restoration actions in the AOCs 

.         Life after delisting: Issues to consider when planning for the
future of your AOC and your local RAP committee 

.         Tips for complying with federal grant requirements and
administering your GLRI project efficiently 

.         Resources, tools and innovative approaches for tracking progress
in restoring your AOC 

.         Telling your story: Tips for communicating with the press, the
public and elected officials about restoration work in your AOC and its
economic benefits

 

Who Should Attend

The conference is intended for all parties involved in efforts to restore
the U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern, including members of local AOC
groups, state and federal agency staff, LaMP participants, academic
partners, consultants, and others interested in the AOC program. 

 

Come Early and Be Part of Great Lakes Week 2011

The Areas of Concern conference is being held as part of the first-ever
Great Lakes Week, which includes a variety of meetings and forums being held
Oct. 11-14 in Detroit. In addition to the AOC conference, the Great Lakes
Commission, International Joint Commission, and Healing Our Waters-Great
Lakes Coalition will hold their annual meetings during Great Lakes Week
2011. Conference attendees are especially encouraged to arrive early and
participate in a binational accountability report and public forum, and a
Great Lakes week panel and town hall that will be held Wednesday afternoon,
Oct. 12 at the Community Arts Auditorium at Wayne State University.
Transportation will be provided from the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel to these
events. Information on Great Lakes Week 2011 activities is available at
http://www.greatlakesrestoration.us/glweek.html. Questions about Great Lakes
Week 2011 can be directed to the U.S. EPA spokesperson Peter Cassell at
312-886-6234, cassell.peter at epa.gov.

 

Travel Funding

Travel funding will be available for one representative from each AOC group.
The chair of each group will be responsible for designating in advance who
will be eligible for travel funding. 

 

Lodging

Lodging is available at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel where the conference
is being held. A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved under "Areas of
Concern" for Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 12-13 at a rate of $134 per night
plus tax. The reserved block will be released Sept. 21, after which rooms
will be provided on a space-available basis. To make reservations, call
888-627-7150 and request a room from the block reserved for "Areas of
Concern."

 

Dinner Cruise on the Detroit River

Join us Thursday evening for dinner and a boat cruise on the Detroit River.
Dinner will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Leaders from the
Detroit River AOC will discuss restoration work along the river. There is a
$35 fee for this event and advance registration is required. The dinner
cruise is open to all participants in Great Lakes Week activities and their
guests; participation in the AOC conference is not required. Registration
for this event will be managed through the AOC conference website at
http://www.glc.org/rap/aocconference11.html. 

 

Exhibitor Tables

Exhibitor tables will be available for a charge of $25. Use the registration
page to request a table.

 

Sponsors

The meeting is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great
Lakes National Program Office; National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration-Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Program; the Great Lakes
Commission; and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. 

 

Contact

Matt Doss

Great Lakes Commission

734-971-9135

mdoss at glc.org

 

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