January 16, 2007
News from the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research
Headlines:
* Former Governor to Kick Off ESI Spring Discussions
* Maine WRRI 2007 Awards Announced
* First Annual Streamflow Summary Available
* 2007 Maine Water Conference
Environmental Solutions Initiative
Former Governor Angus King to Kick Off Spring Discussions
Beginning in January, 2007, the Environmental Solutions Initative (ESI) is launching a pilot project to explore the social, economic, and environmental effects of alternative
development scenarios in the lower Penobscot River watershed and bay.
On January 18, former Governor Angus King will present via videoconference the first in a series of dialogues about the environmental challenges and opportunities facing Maine,
especially in the lower Penobscot River watershed. King will engage in a discussion about the findings and recommendations of the Brookings report, and what roles ESI can play in addressing local and regional problems.
The following week (January 25) will feature a panel discussion focused on the future of the lower Penobscot region. The panelists include Jack Cashman (Senior Economic Advisor to Governor Baldacci), Evan Richert (former Director of the State Planning Office), Mike Tetreault (Executive Director, The Nature Conservancy Maine Chapter), Tom Doak (Executive Director, Small Woodlot Owners Association of Maine), and Philip Conkling (President, Island Institute).
All presentations and discussions take place in Room 107, Norman Smith Hall, University of Maine, Orono, Maine and are open to all. For parking permits and directions contact Ruth Hallsworth at hallsworth@maine.edu.
Sponsored by the Mitchell Center, the Graduate Program in Ecology & Environmental Science, and the School of Marine Sciences.
Go to http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/esi for more information on the Environmental Solutions Initiative.
Maine WRRI 2007 Awards Announced
The following projects will receive funding from the Maine Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) for 2007. Final awards are contingent upon receipt of Congressional funding.
We would like to thank all those who submitted proposals to this program. We regret that due to limited grant monies, not all proposals can be funded.
Research Projects
The influence of chloride and natural organic matter gradients on disinfection by-product formation in Maine
PI: John Peckenham
Co-PI(s): Gail Lipfert, Touradj Solouki, Andy Tolman
A 31P NMR investigation of phosphorus speciation in sediments of two shallow lakes in Maine, USA
PI: Aria Amirbahman
Co-PI(s): Bishop, Karl Bishop, Roy Bouchard, Bjorn Lake, Stephen Norton
Biological Effects of Pharmaceutically Derived Estrogens from Wastewater Effluents in the Penobscot River, Maine
PI: Gregory Mayer
A Novel Approach to Assessing Multiple Stressor Effects in Maine Fishes
PI: Rebecca Van Beneden
Co-PI(s): Frank Drummond, Adria Elskus, Brian Perkins
Assessing the role of natural flow variability and the impact of flow standards on Maine’s surface waters
PI: Shaleen Jain
Co-PI(s): David Courtemanch, David Hart
Information Transfer Projects
The Penobscot River Education Program: Celebrating and Strengthening Community Connections to the River that Sustains Us
PI: Beth Owen
Co-PI(s): Cheryl Daigle, Ruth Hallsworth
Key attributes for sustainable water use: a map-based bulletin board
PI: Peter Vaux
Additional information on the Maine WRRI is available at
http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/bottom_menu/wrri_grants.htm.
First Annual Streamflow Summary Available
This past year has produced some record-breaking high streamflow conditions in the Northeast, as well as some near-record lows in other areas of the country, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In a new USGS publication, “Streamflow of 2006 – Water Year Summary,” changes in streamflow over the course of 2006 are examined relative to conditions over the past 75 years.
Some areas of the country experienced higher streamflow than usual. For example, parts of New England recorded their highest annual flows since 1930. At the same time, below normal conditions were prevalent in Texas and other states in the central and southern Great Plains, parts of the Southeast, and Alaska.
This first-ever USGS summary of seasonal, regional, and national streamflow conditions for water year 2006 can be accessed at http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/2006summary.
2007 Maine Water Conference
Registration before 3/3/07 is only $38 and includes all conference sessions, breaks, and lunch. Registration is limited to 350 attendees. Discounts are available for
students giving oral or poster presentations. A limited number of scholarships for high school and undergraduate student admission are also available.
Registration Fee: $38
Late Registration Fee (after 3/2/06): $50
Student Fee (for presenting students): $20
Registration forms are available online at http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/mwc/Registration_07.htm.
If you would prefer to have a registration form faxed or mailed to you, please call 207/581-3244.
Information for exhibitors and vendors is available at:
http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/mwc/Exhibitor_07.htm.
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