ATW 2010 Plenary Speakers

Sunday October 3rd, 2010, Opening plenary presentation

Dr. Jiri Marsalek Research Scientist and Head of the Urban Water Management Section at the National Water Research Institute, WSTD, Environment Canada, in Burlington, Ontario Secretary of the IAHR/IWA Joint Committee on Urban Drainage

Title - Urban stormwater impacts on receiving waters: The current understanding and mitigation strategies

Abstract:

Progressing urbanization dramatically changes the landscape and fluxes of runoff, sediment, chemicals, micro-organisms, and waste heat in the affected areas. Such changes then impact urban aquatic ecosystems and result in their degradation. During the past 45 years, a fairly good understanding of surface hydrology of, and pollutant export from, urbanizing areas has been developed and served as a basis for managing such processes. Field studies and computer simulations were used to study stormwater impacts on receiving waters, recognizing that such impacts are best measured by the performance of biological communities, which is affected by changes in the flow regime, physical habitat structure, chemical variables, energy/food sources, and biotic interactions. With respect to chemical variables, recognition of challenges with devising chemical protocols and the lack of accounting for chemical speciation and bioavailability, toxicological bioassays, and particularly those related to benthic communities, have been used with some success and confirmed occurrences of toxicity under certain circumstances. The goals for mitigation of urban impacts were defined by Ian McHarg in his 1969 book on Design with Nature, in which he advocated retaining, or respectively mimicking, two essential functions of the predevelopment catchment: the hydrology and ecology. While experience with advanced stormwater management, which is promoted under such terms as Low Impact Development, indicates a great progress in mimicking local hydrology and reducing pollutant exports, the ecological mimicry remains to be elusive, particularly on larger scales. Furthermore, without upgrading the older urban areas with inadequate stormwater control, full benefits of advanced stormwater management in new areas will not be realized on the watershed scale. Thus, further progress in stormwater management at a watershed level requires upgrading stormwater drainage in older urban areas and practicing advanced stormwater management in new developments.

Biography:

Dr. Jiri Marsalek, P.Eng. is research scientist and Head of the Urban Water Management Section at the National Water Research Institute, WSTD, Environment Canada, in Burlington, Ontario. His research interests, including sustainable stormwater management and drainage adaptation in a changing climate, are documented in a large number of publications. On the international scene, he serves as secretary of the IAHR/IWA Joint Committee on Urban Drainage (a specialist group with > 700 members worldwide), and has worked extensively with UNESCO and NATO on urban water management. His recent awards include Environment Canada’s Citation for Excellence (2005), two honorary doctorates from Sweden (2006) and Denmark (2008), and sharing the 2009 Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Award for the best paper on a civil engineering subject in the area of environmental engineering.

Monday October 4th, 2010

Gord Miller Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

Title - The Urban Interface: How urban spaces interact with ecosystem function in Ontario

Abstract:

Urban landscapes and infrastructure are not well designed to be compatible with the structure and function of natural ecosystems in Ontario. With their hard surfaces, engineered conduits and channels, they radically restructure hydrologic regimes in patterns foreign to natural systems. Urban systems also introduce toxins, waste materials and other contaminants into the air and aquatic environments. Additionally, they harbour exotic species disrupting native biodiversity. At the same time, urban environments can be more strictly controlled than rural settings and can enjoy investments of public funds that allow unique opportunities for the restoration of biodiversity. This presentation will outline the challenges that our existing urban spaces impose on their surrounding ecosystems, and examine how municipalities can make valuable contributions to natural ecosystem function.

Biography:

Gord Miller was first sworn in as the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario on January 31, 2000, to oversee the continued implementation of the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR). He has now been re-appointed for his third term. As an independent officer appointed by the Legislative Assembly, Commissioner Miller oversees 14 ministries and monitors and reports annually on:

• Government compliance with the provisions of the EBR
• Government progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Activities in Ontario to reduce the use or make more efficient use of electricity, natural gas, propane, oil and transportation fuels.

Prior to his appointment as Environmental Commissioner on January 31, 2000, Gord Miller worked as a scientist in pollution abatement and in environmental education and training. As Environmental Commissioner, Gord Miller has released eleven annual reports, seven special reports, two Greenhouse Gas Progress Reports and one Energy Conservation Progress Report to the Ontario Legislature.

Tuesday October 5th, 2010

Dr. Gail Krantzberg Professor and Director of the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University

Title - Regenerating Great Lakes Integrity

Abstract:

This is a defining moment for the Great Lakes St Lawrence region, with the opportunity to renovate the regime for ecosystem improvement, protection and sustainability. The binational Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was first signed in 1972. The outcome of a 2007 review of the Agreement by government and citizens, resulted in a broad call for and revisions to the Agreement, so that it can once again serve as a visionary document driving binational cooperation to address long-standing, new and emerging Great Lakes environmental issues in the 21st century. A prescription for renegotiating the Agreement to generate a revitalized and sustainable future mandates that science inform contemporary public policy to regenerate livable communities, economic vitality and ecosystem health.

Biography: .

Dr. Krantzberg is Professor and Director of the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Centre for Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University.. The Centre offers a Master’s Degree to engineers and scientist training them to understand the application of science and technology to public policy. Gail completed her Ph.D. at the University of Toronto on contaminant cycling in freshwaters. She worked for the Ontario Ministry of Environment from 1988 to 2001, as Coordinator of Great Lakes Programs, and Senior Policy Advisor on Great Lakes. She is the past president of the International Association of Great Lakes Research. Dr. Krantzberg was the Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the International Joint Commission from 2001 to 2005, and served on the Water Quality Board, Indicators Implementation Task Force, Council of Great Lakes Research Mangers, and Sediment Priority Action Team. She is a board member of the Canadian Association for Water Quality, Great Lakes Observing System, Clean Water Foundation, a member of the National Advisory Panel on Responsible Care, Environmental Assessment Working Group of Environment and Health Canada, Water Expert Panel of the National Round Table on Environment and Economy, and the Canadian Stakeholder Advisory Panel on the Renegotiation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. She has authored more than 100 scientific and policy articles on issues pertaining to ecosystem quality and sustainability.