Mon River Summit Set for April 19
Washington PA Observer-Reporter
20 March 2010
By Bob Niedbala, Staff writer
niedbala@observer-reporter.com
The fifth annual Monongahela River Summit, an event sponsored by the
Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau and Upper Monongahela
River Association, will be held April 19 at the Waterfront Place Hotel
in Morgantown, W.Va.
The summit, which is open to the public, will focus on the Mon River's
future and include discussion on commerce, infrastructure, recreation
and water quality as well as emerging opportunities, challenges and
current issues regarding the Mon.
Barry Pallay, vice president of the Upper Monongahela River
Association, encourages all Pennsylvania and West Virginia residents,
officials, organizations and companies to attend the summit.
"The Monongahela River is an important part of our West Virginia and
Pennsylvania economies and river basin communities. And there's still a
lot we can do to further develop, enhance and protect the river,"
Pallay said.
"Many people focus on the river's recreational aspects but controlling
pollution is also something to be concerned with," added Dave Plevich,
sports and special events manager for the convention and visitors
bureau.
"Without clean water, our efforts to maintain and attract river users
and industry to the Mon River Basin becomes difficult," he said.
The keynote address, "One river and two states: a personal and
professional perspective for balancing competing demands from
industries, regulators and the public," will be presented by Col. Mike
Crall, Pittsburgh District commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Another key speaker in the morning session will be Jim McCarville,
director of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission.
During the lunch session, special keynote speaker will be Randy
Huffman, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection.
A lunch-only option for $20 will be available to listen to his
presentation. Registration is encouraged for this session.
A special focus will be placed on recent water quality issues affecting
the river basin, including high levels of total dissolved solids in the
Mon and the Dunkard Creek fish kill, and impacts on industry, drinking
water supplies and recreation.
The summit also offers an opportunity to expand on issues developed
since the last summit as well as a chance to review recent progress.
Registration for the entire day of the Mon River Summit is $30 a
person. The registration fee includes conference materials, luncheon
and a snack. Those who would like to exhibit Mon River related
materials can reserve a table for a nominal display fee.
The summit will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration will begin at
8 a.m., and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Registration forms are asked to be turned in by April 3 and are
available online at www.tourmorgantown.com. Registrations forms may be
mailed to: Greater Morgantown CVB, 68 Donley Street, Morgantown, WV
26501, along with registration and/or display payment.
For summit updates, please check MonRiverSummit.org periodically. For
general inquiries, contact Don Strimbeck at 304-599-7585 or at
dcsoinks@comcast.net.