Riparian Habitat and Floodplains Conference Set

ARCHIVED 2002–2016: Originally distributed via the eWire press wire service. Preserved as historical record.

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE |

Conservation & Wildlife

Corporate Responsibility

Science & Technology

Syndication Partners

**************************************************************************

E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE

**************************************************************************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Riparian Habitat and Floodplains Conference Set

CALIFORNIA, SACRAMENTO, Mar. 1 -/E-Wire/-- The Riparian Habitat and Floodplains Conference, sponsored by the California Department of Water Resources and 16 other public and private agencies and organizations, is scheduled March 12 through 15 at Sacramento's Radisson Hotel.

Organized by the California Riparian Habitat Joint Venture and the Western Section of The Wildlife Society, the Conference will feature plenary and technical sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and field trips.

Major Conference themes include:

* Practice of Conservation and Restoration * Research and Technology in Riparian and Floodplain Restoration * Legislative Policy and Programs

The main plenary session will feature talks by Cal-Poly's Dr. Williams Preston, Charles Baxter of the Lower Mississippi River Valley Joint Venture, and Desert Fishes Council Executive Secretary Edwin P. Pister.

Mary Nichols, California's Secretary for Resources, will give a 30-minute closing presentation titled "Closing Remarks: Managing California's River Corridors.'

The plenary session provides a forum for scientists, policy-makers and the public to address fundamental challenges facing California's vanishing riparian forests. "This is an important opportunity to highlight the role of floodplain management in the conservation of riparian systems,' said Earle Cummings, DWR's delegate to the conference Steering Committee. "The management of flood protection corridors has always been a function of our Department, and the recently passed Proposition 13 has given us additional resources to help with acquisition, restoration and enhancement. We are hoping this Conference will bring the issue of riparian systems preservation into the planning process for our flood protection, land use planning and water agency colleagues.'

Half-day and full-day field trips will illustrate examples of riparian and floodplain restoration. Field trip destinations include the Delta, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus Rivers, the Yolo Bypass and the Cosumnes River Preserve.

A Conference highlight will be a presentation of the Riparian Habitat Joint Venture's first annual "Innovation to Action Award' recognizing distinctive science, management, communication, education or policy achievements in riparian conservation. The award acknowledges key individuals, organizations, or coalitions that have pioneered new approaches or innovations in riparian habitat restoration and conservation and then taken steps to ensure their application in the field.

More information on the Conference is available at www.tws-west.org/riparian/ or by contacting Tina Chouinard of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 209/826-3508 or by e-mail at [REDACTED-EMAIL].

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.

California Department of Water Resources

DWR PIO, Don Strickland, 916/657-4469 or Environmental Compliance, Analysis & Planning Branch, Earle Cummings, 916/445-7974

http://wwwdwr.water.ca.gov

**************************************************************************

To Transmit Your News Over E-Wire, visit http://www.ewire.com or

call 1-[REDACTED-PHONE]. E-Wire Is Broadcast To Millions Of Readers Worldwide

**************************************************************************