Agenda | 3rd Annual Georgia Environmental Conference


	3rd Annual Georgia Environmental Conference Agenda
	*Please note: The 3rd Annual Conference Agenda is in development and subject to change. Attendee curriculums may change dependent upon topic availability. Course Descriptions and Speaker Panels will be updated as topics are finalized.
	Schedule of Events
	Wednesday \| August 27, 2008
	8:00am - 1:00pm 1:00pm - 2:25pm	Conference Attendee Check-in and on-site registration Opening General Session Welcome..................George M. Israel, III .....................................President & CEO, ............................................Georgia Chamber of Commerce Keynote Address......James I. Palmer, Jr. (Jimmy) ............................................Regional Administrator, United States ............................................Environmental Protection Agency Keynote Address....Carol A. Couch, Ph.D. ............................................Director, Environmental Protection Division ............................................Georgia Department of Natural Resources
	2:30pm - 4:00pm 4:00pm - 4:25pm 4:30pm - 6:00pm 6:00pm - 7:00pm	Session I Refreshment Break - Exhibit Hall Session II Welcome Reception - Exhibit Hall
	Thursday \| August 28, 2008
	8:00am - 8:25am 8:30am - 10:00am 10:00am - 10:25am 10:30am - 12:00pm 12:00pm - 1:30pm 1:35pm - 3:00pm 3:05pm - 4:35pm 4:35pm - 5:00pm 5:00pm - 6:30pm 6:30pm - 7:30pm	Continental Breakfast - Exhibit Hall Session III Refreshment Break - Exhibit Hall Session IV Lunch Keynote Address....Chris Clark .................................Executive Director, .................................Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority Session V Session VI Refreshment Break - Exhibit Hall Session VII Evening Reception - Exhibit Hall
	Friday \| August 29, 2008
	8:00am - 9:30am	Keynote Breakfast Keynote Address....Otis S. Johnson .................................Mayor, City of Savannah Keynote Address....Brigadier General Schroedel .................................South Atlantic Division Commander, .................................U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
	9:35am - 11:00am	Session VIII
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	Keynote Speakers
	Welcome Address George M. Israel, III President & CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce	George Israel is President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The Macon native has more than 27 years experience as a Chief Executive Officer with organizations in government, real estate sales management and development, property management and managed healthcare. Israel attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran and the University of Georgia. He began his career as a field underwriter for the life, health and accident insurance industry. From 1979 until 1987, he served as Mayor of the City of Macon . In 1987, Israel became President & CEO of The Potomac Corporation, a European Venture Capital firm. During the early 1990's, he led Fickling & Walker Company in Macon before moving to Secure Health Plans of Georgia in 1994 as President & CEO. Israel currently serves on the Board of Directors for a number of organizations including the Georgia Allies, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and the Georgia Cities Foundation. He is a Board Advisor for the Georgia Department of Economic Development and a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Israel served as Chairman of the 21 st Century Partnership in Middle Georgia for the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) committee (1993-95), Chair of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce (1993), Chair of the Macon Economic Development Commission (1988-92), and Co-Chair of the Macon-Bibb County Unification Commission. He was appointed by Governor Zell Miller to Chair the State of Georgia Commission on Privatization (1994-98). He was also appointed by Governor Miller to serve on the Georgia Military Affairs Coordinating Committee (GMACC) from 1993-96. In 2003, Governor Sonny Perdue reappointed Israel to the GMACC. In 2006, Georgia Trend Magazine named Israel “Georgian of the Year.” Israel and his wife Pam have two grown children and one grandchild.
	Opening Keynote Address James I. Palmer, Jr Regional Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency	In October 2001, President Bush appointed Jimmy Palmer Regional Administrator for Region 4 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which covers Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Florida. A Mississippi native, Jimmy holds a B. S. degree in Civil Engineering from Mississippi State University and a Juris Doctorate degree, with honors, from the University of Mississippi. He is a Registered Professional Engineer and Licensed Attorney in Mississippi. Jimmy served for over 25 years in several capacities in the environmental field with the State of Mississippi, including the Attorney General's Office, the Governor's Office, and, for over 12 years, under three successive Governors, as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. He then re-entered private law practice before being appointed EPA Regional Administrator.
	Opening Keynote Address Carol A. Couch, Ph.D. Director, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources	Carol A. Couch is the Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Appointed by Governor Perdue and the Board of Natural Resources in October 2003, Dr. Couch is the first woman to lead EPD in its 35-year history. As Director, she is responsible for an 850-person agency that implements and enforces 26 state and four federal laws designed to protect, conserve and restore Georgia's environmental resources. Dr. Couch chairs the Water Council, a coordinating committee charged with overseeing the development of a comprehensive statewide water plan. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Clean Air Campaign and is on the Board of Trustees of the Livable Communities Coalition. Before joining EPD, Dr. Couch was a member of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), leading nationally distributed, multi-disciplinary teams of engineers, hydrologists, chemists and biologists in the design, conduct and reporting of water resource investigations. She also served as Southeastern Regional Biologist in the Southeastern Region, and as Hydrologist in the Georgia District of the USGS Water Resources Division. Dr. Couch has her Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Georgia, as well as Master's and Bachelor's degrees from the University of South Carolina and the Georgia Institute of Technology, respectively. Her graduate studies focused on the ecology of coastal rivers and estuaries. She was born in Nuremberg, Germany and settled in Columbus, Georgia upon her father's retirement from the U.S. Army. Her love of nature grew from fishing and hunting with her father in Georgia's beautiful and diverse outdoors. Dr. Couch is an avid hiker, landscape painter, sometime golfer and is currently writing a series of travel essays.
	Lunch Keynote Address Chris Clark Executive Director, Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority	Chris Clark is the executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). GEFA serves as the state bank by providing financing for water and sewer infrastructure projects, reservoirs, weatherization, state fuel tanks, recycling and solid waste projects. GEFA is home to Conserve Georgia, the Governor's Energy Challenge 2020, the Georgia Land Conservation Program, the State Energy Office and Georgia's Energy Innovation Center. Clark is a member of Georgia Water Council and the Georgia Drought Command. Additionally, he is Governor Sonny Perdue's proxy on the Southern Growth Policy Board and represents Georgia as a commissioner on the Southeast Compact Commission for Low-Level Radioactive Waste. Clark is an advisory board member for the University of Georgia's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, a graduate of Georgia's first executive leadership program and serves as vice president of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) board of directors. Clark was previously the deputy commissioner for global commerce at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the marketing arm of the state of Georgia. During his tenure, the state recorded record years with more than 40,000 new jobs and more than $8 billion in new investment. Clark also supervised Georgia's eleven international offices. Prior positions include president & CEO of the Fayette County Development Authority in metro Atlanta, and president & CEO of the Hawkinsville-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and Development Association. A native of Fitzgerald, Ga., Clark earned a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University and received a master's degree in public administration from Georgia College and State University. In 2000, Georgia College and State University named him the “Recent Alumni of the Year,” and in 2006, Georgia Trend Magazine named him to its annual “40 Under 40” list of state leaders. He is a member of the 2008 Leadership Georgia class. Clark, his wife Tiffany and son Christian reside near Peachtree City in Fayette County, Georgia and attend Dogwood Baptist Church.
	Closing Keynote Address Otis S. Johnson Mayor, City of Savannah	Otis S. Johnson is a graduate of Armstrong-Atlantic State University and the University of Georgia. He earned the Master of Social Work degree from Clark Atlanta University in 1969 and the Ph.D. degree in Social Welfare from the Heller School at Brandeis University in 1980. At Cambridge College's 2007 Commencement Ceremony, Mayor Johnson was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. He retired from the position of Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Savannah State University in May 2002. Mayor Johnson is nationally known in the field of community building and youth development. He serves on the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families and is a member of the boards of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and MDC. He served as an At-Large member of the Georgia Municipal Association's Board of Directors (2004-2007). Mayor Johnson was Executive Director of the Youth Futures Authority, an Annie E. Casey Foundation initiative, from 1988-1998. He was elected in November 2003 and re-elected in November 2007 to become Savannah, Georgia's 64th Mayor. Mayor Johnson is the second African-American to hold that position.
	Closing Keynote Address Brigadier General Schroedel South Atlantic Division Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	Brigadier General Schroedel was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in an Air Force family. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1975. He holds three masters degrees: in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois; in Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and in National Military Strategy from the National War College. He is also a licensed professional engineer in Virginia. His command assignments include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Division; the Engineer Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Germany; the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Ft Riley, Kansas; and A Company, 82d Engineer Battalion, 7th Engineer Brigade, VII Corps, Germany. His other key assignments include Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, D.C.; Assistant Deputy Director of Operations, Joint Staff, Pentagon; Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Pentagon; and Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army, Pentagon. His key operational assignments include Operation Pro Vida, Guatemala where he helped rebuild highway CA-9 and several bridges after the earthquake of 1976; Operation Allied Force in 1999, Macedonia where he developed the base camp development plans for operations in Kosovo; and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, Baghdad, Iraq where he helped establish the Gulf Region Division that is currently managing the $12 billion reconstruction program. BG Schroedel is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy. They have three married children: Allison (husband Bobby), Lori (husband Ray), and Matt (wife Natasha). Matt and his wife are both active duty engineer soldiers stationed at Ft Bragg, NC. Matt recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq.
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	Course Descriptions
	Wednesday, August 27, 2008
	Session I \| 2:30pm - 4:00pm 1. Federal and State Regulatory and Compliance Update (1st Offering) 2. Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan: General Assembly Adoption and Plan Implementation 3. Inter-state Water Challenges 4. Land Use - Low Impact Development (LID) 5. Georgia Alternative Energy Development (Agriculture), Emerging Fuel Industries from Agriculture & Forestry Initiatives 6. Georgia 's Invasive Species Plan 7. Class 1 - Reimbursement of States & Locals for Hazardous Substance Release Clean-ups & Oil Release Clean-ups
	Session II \| 4:30pm - 6:00pm 8. Water / Wastewater Infrastructure Focus 9. Federal and State Regulatory and Compliance Update (2nd Offering) 10. Building Sustainable Communities (1st Offering) 11. State Legislative Update 12. Global Warming / Climate Change (1st Offering) 13. Conserve Georgia 14. Class 2 - Panel of Local, State, and Federal Responders: Strengthening Response Through Collaboration and Partnerships
	Thursday, August 28, 2008
	Session III \| 8:30am - 10:00am 15. Local Governments Role in Land Conservation 16. Governor's Energy Challenge / State Energy Office Update 17. Sustainable Water Supply For Georgia Droughts (1st Offering) 18. Introduction to LEED 19. Property Re-Use / Redevelopment 20. Hot Topics in Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation 21. Savannah Harbor Dissolved Oxygen Standard 22. Class 3 - Regulatory Requirements for Biofuel Production and Storage Facilities
	Session IV \| 10:30am - 12:00pm 23. Legislative Panel Discussion - Incentives / Enforcement for Green Building 24. Coastal Georgia Comprehensive Plan Update 25. Greening of Business in Georgia (1st Offering) 26. Public / Private Partnerships in the Georgia Recycling Initiative 27. Alternative Energy Approaches 28. Water Supply / Reservoir Program (SB 342) 29. Class 4 - The Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Rule
	Session V \| 1:35pm - 3:00pm 30. Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan: Regional Water Planning 31. Air / Health / Economic Impact 32. Building Sustainable Communities (2nd Offering) 33. Innovations in Transportation Funding 34. Economics & Redevelopment Options 35. Water Supplies: Resource Augmentation 36. Class 5 - Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations
	Session VI \| 3:05pm - 4:35pm 37. Managing Growth – Growing by Choice and not by Chance 38. Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan: Water Resource Assessments 39. The Future of Transportation in Georgia 40. The Future of Green Building Systems Sustainability vs. Green Building 41. Recent Changes For Environmental Permitting in Georgia 43. Water Conservation in Georgia 44. Class 6 - Chemical Emergency Case Studies: Lessons Learned
	Session VII \| 5:00pm - 6:00pm 45. The Lower Savannah River & Supplemental Rearation 46. Production / Efficiency 101 47. Sustainable Water Supply For Georgia Droughts (2nd Offering) 48. Economics of Green Building / Greenprints Sustainable Communities Case Studies / Earthcraft Homes Case Studies 49. Branding Recycling in Georgia 50. Environmental Crime / Incident Response - Do's and Dont's 51. Wetlands 52. Class 7 - LEPC Panel / Public Outreach / One Key to Successful LEPCs
	Friday, August 29, 2008
	Session VIII \| 9:35am - 11:00am 53. Stormwater Enforcement 54. Healthier Georgians, Abundant Natural Resources, and Thriving Communities: Advancing Georgia's Priorities through Parks & Recreation 55. Greening of Business in Georgia (2nd Offering) 56. Innovative (Point and Nonpoint Source) Pollution 57. What Communities are Charging for Water and Sewer Services 58. Global Warming / Climate Change (2nd Offering) 59. Tapping Georgia 's Off-shore & Coastal Wind Energy Resources 60. Class 8 - The Chemical Security Antiterrorism Regulation of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security

	1. Federal and State Regulatory and Compliance Update (1st Offering) This session provides an overview of recent Federal and State environmental regulatory actions impacting Georgia with additional focus on compliance with air quality standards. Moderator: Todd Edwards - Association County Commissioners of Georgia. Speakers: Don Christy - Chief of Staff, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV; Dr. Carol Couch - Director, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Kevin Green - Executive Director, Georgia Clean Air Campaign. Topic Coordinator: Todd Edwards - Association County Commissioners of GA. 2. Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan: General Assembly Adoption and Plan Implementation Moderator: TBD. Speakers: Senator Ross Tolleson - Chairman, Senate Natural Resources Committee; Representative Lynn Smith - Chairman, House Natural Resources Committee; Linda MacGregor - Georgia EPD; Chris Clark - Executive Director, GEFA. Topic Coordinators: Rick Brownlow - CH2M HILL; Linda MacGregor - Georgia EPD. 3. Inter-state Water Challenges Case Studies. Moderator: Nolton Johnson - Geosyntec. Speakers: Todd Silliman / Bruce Brown - McKenna Long & Aldridge; COL Edward Kertis - Savannah District Engineer, USACE; Louis Jones - King & Spalding; Tennessee River Representative. Topic Coordinator: Nolton Johnson - Geosyntec Consultants. 4. Land Use - Low Impact Development (LID) The state's leading developers and builders are employing innovative design techniques to reduce or eliminate stormwater runoff. Case studies from the mountains, the piedmont as well as the coast are featured in this session. Speaker / Moderator: Tim Carter - UGA's River Basin Center. Speakers: Homebuilder Gregg Bayard - UGA Marine Extension Service. Topic Coordinator: Laurie Fowler - The University of Georgia. 5. Georgia Alternative Energy Development (Agriculture), Emerging Fuel Industries from Agriculture & Forestry Initiatives XION Ag Alternatives (Center of Innovation for Fuel & Energy). Speakers: Jill Stuckey - GEFA; Dave Heitz - “Options for Use of Landfill Gas as Renewable Energy”, highlighting three ways that LFG can be used to generate renewable energy using case studies from GA. Topic Coordinator: Tim Lowrimore - Georgia Forestry Association. 6. Georgia's Invasive Species Plan Georgia is in the process of developing its invasive species plan. State and Federal agency personnel and representatives from a variety of organizations have been working with faculty and staff at the University of Georgia to develop the plan, which is expected to be completed this fall. The plan focuses on both aquatic and terrestrial species and will serve as a framework for addressing invasive species management efforts in the future. Speakers: TBD. Topic Coordinator: Jim Kundell - The University of Georgia. 7. Class 1 - Reimbursement of States & Locals for Hazardous Substance Release Clean-ups & Oil Release Clean-ups EPA has three mechanisms to reimburse state and local governments for emergency clean-ups: Local Government Reimbursements (LGRs) for hazardous substance releases (HSRs), Pollution Removal Funding Authorizations (PRFAs), and claims for oil discharges. The LGR Program provides federal funds to local governments for costs related to temporary emergency measures conducted in response to past or threatened HSRs. The PRFA is a funding mechanism used by Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSCs) to supply state and local governments with the necessary funding to complete oil spill cleanups. Speakers: TBD - visit GeorgiaENet.com for updates. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA, Region IV.
	8. Water / Wastewater Infrastructure Focus What does the future hold for funding of water & sewer infrastructure in Georgia? Hear perspectives from various representatives from the investment banking community, governmental and business sectors, development industry. Moderator: Todd Silliman - McKenna Long Aldridge. Speakers: Greg Mason - GEFA; Joan Young - IntegraWater; Jillian Barrick Jones - PFM (invited). Topic Coordinators: Todd Silliman - McKenna, Long & Aldridge; Greg Mason - GEFA. 9. Federal and State Regulatory and Compliance Update (2nd Offering) This session provides an overview of recent Federal and State environmental regulatory actions impacting Georgia with additional focus on compliance with air quality standards. Moderator: Todd Edwards - Association County Commissioners of Georgia. Speakers: Don Christy - Chief of Staff, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV; Dr. Carol Couch - Director, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Kevin Green - Executive Director, Georgia Clean Air Campaign. Topic Coordinator: Todd Edwards - Association County Commissioners of GA. 10. Building Sustainable Communities (1st Offering) This panel will focus on what local governments can do to protect and enhance environmental resources while stimulating economic development. Issues will include reducing carbon footprints through green building, fuel-efficiency, alternative energy, and conservation; incentives for developers to build to LEED standards; technological and natural methods for managing stormwater and filtering pollutants; legislation that fosters comprehensive long-term benefits for cities and counties; and resources to educate officials and citizens about the importance of living and growing sustainably. Moderator: Paul Wolff - Tybee Island City Councilman. Speakers: Tommy Lindstroth - Director of Sustainable Issues with Melaver; Patty McIntosh - VP, Georgia Conservancy; Tara Merrill - President, Environmental Science and Technologies; Kelly Spratt - Mayor of Darien; Pat Shay - Chatham County Commissioner / Architect; Katie Hoover - Coastal Planner and NEMO Coordinator. Topic Coordinators: Rita Wayco - US EPA; Connie Dempsey - US EPA. 11. State Legislative Update This session provides an overview of environmental legislation adopted by the 2008 Georgia General Assembly. Moderator: TBD. Speakers: Senator Ross Tolleson - Chairman, Senate Natural Resources Committee; Representative Lynn Smith - Chairman, House Natural Resources Committee; Jill Johnson - Lobbyist, Georgia Conservation Voters. Topic Coordinators: Doug Miell - Georgia Chamber of Commerce; Todd Edwards - Association County Commissioners of GA. 12. Global Warming / Climate Change (1st Offering) Broader than Carbon Sequestration & Trading / Georgia Carbon Registry. Global Environmental Trends in Climate Change. Climate Panel. Speakers: TBD. Topic Coordinators: David Meezan - Alston & Bird; Jonathan Wells - Alston & Bird. 13. Conserve Georgia Speakers: Shane Hix - GEFA; Jason Bodwell (Water) - GEFA; Cyrus Bhedwar (Energy) - GEFA; Curt Soper (Land) - GEFA. Topic Coordinator: Greg Mason - GEFA. 14. Class 2 - Panel of Local, State, and Federal Responders: Strengthening Response Through Collaboration and Partnerships Explore processes for federal, state, and local response organizations in planning, exercising, and responding to an emergency or disaster incident. This session will examine benefits of organizing different agencies or departments under a single command structure in support of a unified response using the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS uses standardized organizational systems with common terminology during a disaster. ICS links communication systems and resources, and defines the operating characteristics, interactive management components, and structure of an incident management and emergency response organization. Speakers: Shane Hitchcock - Chief, Emergency Response & Removal Branch, EPA Region 4, & EPA Co-Chair, Federal Region 4 Regional Response Team. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA, Region IV.
	15. Local Governments Role in Land Conservation Local Governments role in Land Conservation. Moderator: Thomas Farmer - The Nature Conservancy Speakers: Robert Barr - former Carroll County Commission Chair; Pat Monahan - Assistant County Manager, Chatham County; Deke Copenhaver - Mayor, City of Augusta (invited). Topic Coordinator: Thomas Farmer - The Nature Conservancy. 16. Governor’s Energy Challenge / State Energy Office Update Governor's Energy Challenge / State Energy Plan Next Steps. Speakers: David Gipson - Director, Energy Resources Division, GEFA; TBD. Topic Coordinator: Greg Mason - GEFA. 17. Sustainable Water Supply For Georgia Droughts (1st Offering) Reviewing challenges for water supply to Georgia that have not been experienced to this extent to date. Increasing growth and demand for water supply is an increased awareness of the importance of water resources to the state. This is a two part session that looks at what various stakeholders have done and plan to do to help ensure a sustainable supply of water for various uses within the state. This section focuses on the successes and failures throughout the state in coping with adequate water supply through what may be Georgia’s worst extended drought of record. Perspectives will show those that had success, while lessons learned will be offered by others. What are we doing to be sure we are sustainable for the next drought? Where is help needed? Moderator: Nolton Johnson - Geosyntec. Speakers: Jack Dozier - Executive Director GAWP – Overview of local utility experiences; Mike Thomas - General Manager, Clayton County Water Authority - Creating a Sustainable Water Supply with the use of Constructed Wetlands and Reservoirs; Tanya Blalock - GA Power; Rick Hamilton - Weyerhaeuser Port Wentworth. Topic Coordinators: Nolton Johnson - Geosyntec Consultants; Gil Rogers - Southern Environmental Law Center. 18. Introduction to LEED The Introduction to LEED session is for anyone who wants to understand how LEED is used to build green buildings. The session includes an introduction to USGBC and the LEED Green Building Rating Systems, the costs and benefits of green building, and example projects with lessons learned. Speakers: TBD. Topic Coordinator: Kelly Gearhart - Southface. 19. Property Re-Use / Redevelopment An update of the Brownfields program in Georgia from Federal and State perspectives and other aspects of property reuse will be presented. Moderator: Dustin Heizer - MACTEC. Speakers: Scott Hitch - Balch & Bingham; Madeleine Kellam - Georgia EPD; Matt Robbins - EPA. Topic Coordinators: Dustin Heizer - MACTEC; Scott Hitch - Balch & Bingham. 20. Hot Topics in Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation Hot Topics in Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation. Speakers: Shannon Gozley. Topic Coordinators: David Meezan - Alston & Bird; Jonathan Wells - Alston & Bird. 21. Savannah Harbor Dissolved Oxygen Standard A discussion of the bi-state effort to set a new dissolved oxygen standard for the Harbor and the new permitting strategy for discharges in the Harbor. Speakers: Dr. Elizabeth Booth - Georgia EPD; Jeff Larson – Georgia EPD, Savannah River Basin Assistant Branch Chief; Local Perspective Speaker - TBD. Topic Coordinator: Linda MacGregor - UGA. 22. Class 3 - Regulatory Requirements for Biofuel Production and Storage Facilities With the increase cost of gasoline and diesel fuel, more and more "mom and pop" biofuel shops are starting. How can Federal, State, local and industry promote the use of alternate fuels while ensuring these smaller facilities are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Who should ensure these facilities are operating safely and do not pose a risk to the environment? Speakers: Ken Rhame - On Scene Coordinator, EPA Region 4; Ted Walden - On-Scene Coordinator, EPA Region 4; Attorney, EPA Region 4 - TBD. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA, Region IV.
	23. Legislative Panel Discussion - Incentives / Enforcement for Green Building Review of legislative incentive / enforcement programs used elsewhere in the US and discuss applicability of implementation in Georgia. Speakers: Jason Rooks; Ed Setzler; John Adams. Topic Coordinator: Chuck Burleson - Advent PDS. 24. Coastal Georgia Comprehensive Plan Update RS&H, teamed with Lott+Barber Architects, to complete the Coastal Georgia Comprehensive Plan. This recently completed plan, accomplished under an Executive Order from the Governor, is the first regional plan developed for DCA and focuses on a framework for a sustainable coast, preserving the natural, cultural and historic resources and unique characteristics of the region, despite the intense growth pressures. Laurie Fowler's group just completed a major analysis of the most effective state wetlands laws nationwide (incentive-based, regulatory and land acquisition). Moderator: Jamie Cochran, AICP - RS&H Planning Service Group Leader. Speakers: Jim Frederick - Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Beverly Davis, AICP - RS&H; Denise Grabowski, AICP, LEED AP - Lott + Barber; Sonny Timmerman, P.E., AICP - Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission; Patty McIntosh - VP, Coast, Georgia Conservancy. Topic Coordinator: Randy Hartmann - GA Department of Community Affairs. 25. Greening of Business in Georgia (1st Offering) Sustainability and corporate responsibility are expanding within the public and private sectors, providing private enterprise of all sizes with the opportunity to create business value by using sustainability and Corporate Responsibility as a catalyst for innovation, growth and profit. Greening of Business in Georgia. Compliance / Corporate / Social Responsibility. Supply Chain. Moderator: PJ Newcomb - P2AD. Speakers: Betsy Holland - Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.; Jami Buck - Cox Enterprises; Roxane Peyser - Maurgood; Steve Levitan - Pull-A-Part. Topic Coordinator: PJ Newcomb - P2AD. 26. Public / Private Partnerships in the Georgia Recycling Initiative The State has launched a national trend setting recycling initiative grounded in strong public/private partnerships. The initiative has sparked the development of recycling processing and collection infrastructure throughout the state, helping to bring curbside recycling to the City of Savannah and sparking incentive based curbside and special event recycling programs across Georgia. Speakers: Abbey Patterson - Pratt Industries; Chris Morrill - Assistant City Manager, Savannah; Gary Wygant - Coca-Cola Recycling; Jennifer Szabo - Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Topic Coordinator: Randy Hartmann - GA Department of Community Affairs. 27. Alternative Energy Approaches Moderator: Scott Hitch - Balch & Bingham. Speakers: Ervan Hancock - Manager of Renewable & Green Strategies, Georgia Power; Alden Hathaway - Sr. VP of Business Development, Sterling Planet; Stephen Shea, Ph.D. - Vice President Manufacturing, Suniva, Inc. Topic Coordinator: Scott Hitch - Balch & Bingham. 28. Water Supply / Reservoir Program (SB 342) Hear from legislative leaders and sponsors of SB342 along with an update on grant funding and implementation of Senate Bill 342. Speakers: Representative Mike Coan; Senator Chip Pearson; Chris Clark - Executive Director, GEFA; Georgia EPD Representative. Topic Coordinators: Greg Mason - GEFA; Rick Brownlow - CH2M HILL. 29. Class 4 - The Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Rule Geared to personnel preparing or implementing SPCC Plans, the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) rule (40 CFR part 112) has been a controversial regulation – the focus of significant public comment and the subject of major litigation. EPA has recently amended the SPCC requirements in several areas (see the Federal Register notice at 71 FR 77266 or www.epa.gov/oilspill), which will impact both the type and content of Plans developed in accordance with 40 CFR part 112. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives: 1. Obtain a brief introduction to the SPCC rule, including a tour of its 30+ year history, leading up to the December 2006 amendments. 2. Learn what provisions were modified or added to the SPCC rule in the 2006 final rule amendments, and why. Understand how these changes may affect the regulated community. 3. Learn what outreach materials are available. Speaker: Ted Walden - EPA Region 4. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA, Region IV. 30. Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan: Regional Water Planning This session will discuss the efforts underway and planned related to the regional water planning including Council formation, forecasting need, and guidance for plan development. Moderator: Kevin Kelly - GEFA. Speakers: Linda MacGregor - Georgia EPD; Georgia DCA Representative; Bennett Weinstein - Georgia EPD. Topic Coordinator: Rick Brownlow - CH2M HILL. 31. Air / Health / Economic Impact 1. Where we are. 2. Global perspective. Climate, Clean Air Mercury Rule. Air Quality. Lessons from outside. Speakers: Heather Abrams - Georgia EPD; Carol Kemker - EPA. Topic Coordinator: Dr. Michael Chang - Georgia Tech. 32. Building Sustainable Communities (2nd Offering) Focus on what local governments can do to protect and enhance environmental resources while stimulating economic development. Issues will include reducing carbon footprints through green building, fuel-efficiency, alternative energy, and conservation; incentives for developers to build to LEED standards; technological and natural methods for managing stormwater and filtering pollutants; legislation that fosters comprehensive long-term benefits for cities and counties; and resources to educate officials and citizens about the importance of living and growing sustainably. Moderator: Paul Wolff - Tybee Island City Councilman. Speakers: Tommy Lindstroth - Director of Sustainable Issues, Melaver; Patty McIntosh - VP, Georgia Conservancy; Tara Merrill - President, Environmental Science and Technologies; Kelly Spratt - Mayor of Darien; Pat Shay - Chatham County Commissioner / Architect; Katie Hoover - Coastal Planner and NEMO Coordinator. Topic Coordinators: Rita Wayco - US EPA; Connie Dempsey - US EPA. 33. Innovations in Transportation Funding The funding for state transportation infrastructure maintenance and enhancements is shrinking even as the need expands. How to pay for the thousands of projects is becoming a critical challenge in Georgia, where “needs” clash with “wants”, rural areas with urban, and politics often prevail over policy. The panel will discuss the successes and hurdles in finding innovative avenues for funding transportation in Georgia. Speakers: Geoff Segal – Macquarie; Vance Smith - House Transportation Committee Chairman; Buddy Gratton, Deputy Commissioner, GDOT (invited); Yvonne Williams - Executive Director, Perimeter CIDs. Topic Coordinator: Benita Dodd - Georgia Public Policy Foundation. 34. Economics & Redevelopment Options Innovative approaches to property reuse and redevelopment and economic factors to consider will be examined and discussed. Speakers: Scott Condra - Jacoby Development, Inc.; Dan Grogan - MACTEC, Inc.; Mark Smith - Georgia EPD; Gerald Pouncey - Morris, Manning, and Martin, LLP. Topic Coordinator: Jim Kutzman - MACTEC. 35. Water Supplies: Resource Augmentation Even with effective demand management, additional water supplies will likely be necessary. This session will discuss supply management topics such as: surface storage, permitting challenges for groundwater usage, interbasin transfers of water (IBTs), and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). Moderator: TBD. Speakers: Dr. Jim Kennedy - Georgia EPD; Kevin Little - Chairman, Hard Labor Creek Reservoir Management Board; Bryan McDonald - CH2M HILL. Topic Coordinator: Rick Brownlow - CH2M HILL. 36. Class 5 - Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations Learn about the latest developments involving the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s (CSB) efforts to increase chemical safety awareness and to prevent future accidents. The CSB was established by Congress in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and has been operational since 1998. The CSB is an independent federal agency that investigates major chemical accidents at fixed facilities. Based on its accident investigation findings, the CSB makes recommendations to a wide array of groups, including regulatory agencies, standard-setting bodies, trade associations, and unions. Since 2002, the CSB had issued 42 investigation reports, six safety bulletins, and 460 safety recommendations. Speaker: The Honorable William B. Wark, Member of the Board - Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA, Region IV.
	37. Managing Growth – Growing by Choice and not by Chance This session explores smart growth principles and tools, public engagement in community visioning and planning, and Infrastructure Development Districts (IDDs). Speakers: Jim Durrett - Executive Director, Livable Communities Coalition - will discuss LCC’s efforts in helping Metro Atlanta communities implement smart growth; Saskia Benjamin - Georgia Conservancy - will highlight their Blueprints for Successful Communities program to facilitate stakeholder-driven planning across the state; Clint Mueller - Legislative Director for ACCG - will discuss Infrastructure Development Districts (IDDs) which, if approved by voters in November, will provide a new financing tool to accommodate development. Topic Coordinator: Todd Edwards - Association County Commissioners of GA. 38. Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan: Water Resource Assessments This session will discuss the efforts underway and planned related to the surface water quality, surface water quantity, and groundwater aspects of the Water Resource Assessments. Moderator: Linda MacGregor. Speakers: Dr. Elizabeth Booth - Georgia EPD; Dr. Wei Zeng - Georgia EPD; Dr. Jim Kennedy - Georgia EPD. Topic Coordinator: Rick Brownlow - CH2M HILL. 39. The Future of Transportation in Georgia Innovations in asphalt and road-building; the future of transit; the role of rail and the global intermodal connection. Speakers: Craig Camuso - Southeastern Legislative Affairs Director for CSX and President of the Georgia Railroad Association; Cheryl King - Staff Director, Transit Planning Board; David Moellering - Executive Director, Georgia Asphalt Pavement Association; Jamie McCurry – External Affairs Manager, Georgia Ports Authority. Topic Coordinator: Benita Dodd - GA Public Policy Foundation. 40. The Future of Green Building Systems Sustainability vs. Green Building Discussion of the various types of green building assessment systems including, but not limited to LEED, Green Globes, BREEAM, etc. focusing on similarities / differences, future trends, governmental and industry acceptance, etc. Water Conservation. Definitions, similarities, differences; “trendiness” in the marketplace vs. real changes in the way we design and build. Speakers: TBD. Topic Coordinator: Chuck Burleson - Advent PDS. 41. Recent Changes For Environmental Permitting in Georgia Several recent Federal requirements and new initiatives within the State of Georgia will require changes in the way that environmental permits are administered within the state. The permits must address additional aspects and there will need to be more coordination among agencies. This session presents a detailed analysis of these recent changes and an attempt to identify how they may be eventually implemented. Moderator: Greg Blount - Troutman Sanders. Speakers: Terry Cheek - Biologist, Designation of Critical Habitat for Mussels in the ACF Basin: Implications for Environmental Permitting in Georgia; Harvey A Rosenzweig - Environmental Attorney, New Permitting Challenges Under the State Water Plan; Bill Fonferek - Savannah District USACE, New Wetlands and reservoir guidelines for Georgia; Bill Fronzcak - Environmental Attorney / Engineer, Potential New Environmental Permit requirements for Georgia. Topic Coordinator: Nolton Johnson - Geosyntec Consultants. 43. Water Conservation in Georgia This panel will discuss the different water conservation efforts that businesses and governments have undertaken in response to the historic drought in our state. We will also explore how conservation can be profitable from a business and taxpayer perspective. Speakers: Mike Morgan - Delta Air Lines; Alice Miller Keyes - Georgia EPD; Shana Udvardy - The Georgia Conservancy. Topic Coordinator: Gil Rogers - Southern Environmental Law Center. 44. Class 6 - Chemical Emergency Case Studies: Lessons Learned Over the past few years Region 4 has experienced a number of major incidents. Though actions to address the incidents were successful, each incident brought to the forefront areas where improvement could be made and lessons could be learned. We will discuss the impact that the train derailment in Kentucky and the oil well fire in Tennessee had on the environmental community. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA, Region IV.
	45. The Lower Savannah River & Supplemental Rearation A discussion of the pilot work done to raise dissolved oxygen levels in the Lower Savannah River during critical conditions. The technique can be applied to solve other critical river and stream flow conditions. Moderator: Larry Neal - MACTEC. Speakers: Jim Kutzman - MACTEC; Margaret Tanner - MACTEC; Dr. Dick Speece - Vanderbilt University. Topic Coordinator: Jim Kutzman - MACTEC. 46. Production / Efficiency 101 Linking Energy & Water. Speakers: Georgia Power; EMC; Chuck Mueller - Georgia EPD. Topic Coordinator: Ronny Just - Georgia Power. 47. Sustainable Water Supply For Georgia Droughts (2nd Offering) A detailed review of the green industry, which was severely impacted in 2007 and must adapt to changes that are sustainable in order to survive as an industry in north Georgia. Moderator: Nolton Johnson - Geosyntec. Speakers: Tim Cash - Georgia EPD; Mary Kay Woodworth – Executive Director, MALTA and President, Georgia Urban Agricultural Council – Green Industry Adaptations; Barbara Jodoin - General Manager / COO, Pinetree Country Club – A new approach for golf course water management; Mark Esoda - Atlanta Country Club; MOA with Georgia EPD. Topic Coordinators: Nolton Johnson - Geosyntec Consultants; Gil Rogers - Southern Environmental Law Center. 48. Economics of Green Building / Greenprints Sustainable Communities Case Studies / Earthcraft Homes Case Studies Case studies of projects completed under LEED program for economic benefits achieved; based on information from Capital E and / or McGraw Hill. Speakers: TBD. Topic Coordinator: Kelly Gearhart - Southface. 49. Branding Recycling in Georgia The State recently hired a Communications Firm to develop a statewide recycling brand. The firm is tasked with conducting demographic research to determine who the "non-recyclers" are and develop a social marketing campaign to reach the identified target audience. Hear how the State plans to incorporate conservation and economic messaging as they develop a statewide recycling brand and communications strategy. Moderator: Karen Vickers - Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Speakers: Representatives from the Communications Firm. Topic Coordinator: Randy Hartmann - GA Department of Community Affairs. 50. Environmental Crime / Incident Response - Do's and Dont’s Case Studies. Littering. What to do and not do if there is an incident. What to do when the EPA calls. EPA - Criminal Lawyer; EPD Criminal Lawyer; Private Sector Lawyer. Speakers: Fred Burnside - EPA; Bruce Pasfild - Alston & Bird. Topic Coordinator: Jonathan Wells - Alston & Bird. 51. Wetlands Wetlands. Rapanos Decision. Supreme Court decision. BASICS (legal / science). Speakers: Adam Sawatzka - King & Spalding; Tom Welborn. Topic Coordinators: Allen Barnes - King & Spalding; Bill Sapp - Southern Environmental Law Center. 52. Class 7 - LEPC Panel / Public Outreach / One Key to Successful LEPCs A dynamic public outreach program is one of the keys to having successful LEPCs. Most successful LEPCs have good public outreach programs, good track records, and a high degree of both membership participation and community involvement. Today’s panel, drawn from several LEPCs that have been recognized for their success, will share with you their experiences and insights on the importance of their public outreach programs. Speakers: Bill Lofgren - Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council; Dwayne Mundy - N. Central Florida Reg Planning Council; Don Pugh - LEPC Chair; Tuscaloosa County LEPC; Ron Crabtree - Chair, Deer Park LEPC. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA, Region IV.
	53. Stormwater Enforcement Stormwater enforcement. Moderator: Allen Barnes - King & Spalding. Speakers: Adam Sowatzka - King & Spalding; Scott Gordon - EPA, Larry Hedges - Georgia EPD. Topic Coordinator: Allen Barnes - King & Spalding. 54. Healthier Georgians, Abundant Natural Resources, and Thriving Communities: Advancing Georgia’s Priorities through Parks & Recreation With Georgia’s raging obesity epidemic, rapid growth, vanishing greenspace, and diversifying cultural make-up, the role of parks and recreation in our state and local communities is more important now than ever before. Georgia’s new Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Plan (SCORP) makes the connection between these challenges and the fantastic dividends of greenspace preservation and provision of outdoor recreation. SCORP provides specific and innovative ways to encourage governments, industry, citizens and non-profit organizations, to work collaboratively and efficiently to maximize a healthy and prosperous Georgia. By seeking opportunities to leverage each others efforts on shared goals, we can achieve great impacts toward ensuring healthy communities, robust local economies, and intact open spaces and natural resources – like clean and abundant water. Speakers: Becky Kelley - Director, Georgia DNR’s State Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division; Kelly Jordan - Board Member, The Georgia Conservancy. Topic Coordinator: Bob Donaghue - Ecological Futures Consulting. 55. Greening of Business in Georgia (2nd Offering) Sustainability and corporate responsibility are expanding within the public and private sectors, providing private enterprise of all sizes with the opportunity to create business value by using sustainability and Corporate Responsibility as a catalyst for innovation, growth and profit. Greening of Business in Georgia. Compliance / Corporate / Social Responsibility. Supply Chain. Moderator: PJ Newcomb - P2AD. Speakers: Rachel George - Anheuser Busch; George Bandy - Interface Global; Colin Kiefer - Yamaha Motors; Chuck Huling - Georgia Power. Topic Coordinator: PJ Newcomb - P2AD. 56. Innovative (Point and Nonpoint Source) Pollution Nonpoint sources of pollution continue to degrade the state's water resources and economic sustainability. Dave Kyler will describe the problem as well as strategies for eliminating these pervasive pollution sources and restoring our streams and lakes. Christine Rodick will discuss the Upper Altamaha Initiative for Watershed Excellence, a national pilot program whereby universities assist local stakeholders in reducing nonpoint source pollution. The Savanna River Basin Initiative is coordinating project reviews to ensure the consideration of cumulative impacts of all sources of pollution, as described by Judy Jennings.Speaker / Moderator: Dave Kyler - Center for a Sustainable Coast. Speakers: Christine Rodick - UGA River Basin Center; Judy Jennings - Sierra Club. Topic Coordinator: Laurie Fowler - UGA. 57. What Communities are Charging for Water and Sewer Services The Georgia Environmental Facilities and the Environmental Finance Center conducted a survey of water and sewer rate structures from across the State. Over 90% of utilities responded. We are currently integrating this data into the “rates dashboard”. This tool allows a utility to compare its water/sewer rates to the 415 other utilities across the state. In addition to comparing your utility to the statewide picture, you can also use the tool to compare utilities according to multiple characteristics including utility finances, system characteristics, customer base socioeconomic conditions and geography. For example, you can compare what your utility is charging with what other utilities that are in your river basin are charging. The 2008 version of the tool, with a release date at the end of May, will also allow comparisons within the same Water Planning Regions as identified in the State Water Plan. A demonstration on how to use the tool, providing examples of the policy decisions that the tool can inform, will be discussed. (e.g. rate increases and conservation messages). We will also discuss the impacts of particular rate structures on utility revenue stability, customer expenditures and pricing signals. In particular, there will be an exploration of the factors that a utility should consider as it aims for conservation pricing of water. Due to the tremendous pressure to conserve water, the 2008 survey also included questions on the conservation oriented policies or programs (such as low flow fixture replacement rebates and conservation messages on or with the bill) that utilities employ. Speakers: Stacey Berahzer - Environmental Finance Center; Jason Bodwell - GEFA. Topic Coordinator: Stacey Berahzer - Environmental Finance Center. 58. Global Warming / Climate Change (2nd Offering) Broader than Carbon Sequestration & Trading / Georgia Carbon Registry. Global Environmental Trends in Climate Change. Climate Panel. Speakers: TBD. Topic Coordinators: David Meezan - Alston & Bird; Jonathan Wells - Alston & Bird. 59. Tapping Georgia’s Off-shore & Coastal Wind Energy Resources This session will provide an overview of Georgia’s offshore and coastal wind energy potential. Topics will include findings from recent research by Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute and the Southern Company about the wind resources off the coast of Georgia. Also included will be an overview of steps to be taken by utilities and potential wind developers to assess appropriate sites. Examples of offshore wind farms in Europe will be included. The session will also provide a brief overview of coastal land-based wind potential and small-scale applications best suited for the region. Moderator: Cyrus Bhedwar - Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. Speakers: Bill Bulpitt - Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute; Wayne Hildreth - Wind Energy Consulting & Contracting, Inc.; Rita Kilpatrick - Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Topic Coordinator: Connie Dempsey - US EPA. 60. Class 8 - The Chemical Security Antiterrorism Regulation of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security Learn about the latest developments involving the Department of Homeland Security’s risk-based efforts to protect our nation’s chemical sector. The DHS plans to evaluate facilities and chemicals in terms of their different levels of risk. It views risk as a combination of threat, vulnerability, and consequence. The department will determine the kinds and quantities of chemicals at particular facilities, the vulnerability of that could be exploited to do harm to the facility, and perhaps most important, the potential consequences to human life and our economy if in fact there were a successful exploitation of any vulnerability. Such determinations will allow the DHS to focus its oversight efforts on high-risk chemical plants (measured in terms of consequence of an attack or a spill, or a theft) to ensure that owners/operators are adequately protecting such plants. Speaker: Brian Harrell - Chemical Security Compliance Division, US Department of Homeland Security. Topic Coordinator: Henry Hudson - EPA.
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