Need for the Workshop

The point at which the ocean and estuaries first touch land is a place teeming with life.  The presence of living, growing creatures in this environment inevitably leads to alteration.  Among the many biologically diverse species inhabiting this space are human beings, harboring special needs and desires.  Industrial, commercial, and recreational boating, fishing, and shoreline development are just some of the activities competing for shallow water habitat. 

History of the Workshop

The first three Shallow Water Conferences focused on defining the gathering’s namesake, the very thing that the participants were determined to protect.  The shallow water zone is defined as the zone of maximum interaction between humans and critical biological resources - the intertidal zone to four meters below Mean Low Water.  The fourth conference sought to promote a greater understanding of the differing views of users and regulators, and to highlight opportunities for conflict resolution.  The fifth explored the importance of the shallow water zone as critical fish habitat and evaluate the impacts of human activities, including dredging, on the shallow water zone. 

Scope of the Sixth Marine and Estuarine Shallow Water Conference

During this, the sixth conference, objectives will be accomplished through sessions focusing on specific activities occurring in the shallow water zone, such as fishing, boating, and land use practices along the shoreline.  A major topic area will target and expand on the aspects of dredging.  Dredging is necessary for commercial navigation, which is essential for the economic stability and growth of our nation’s ports, and for recreational boat access as well as access to waterfront property.  Such operations, however, may inadvertently cause the destruction of habitat vital to the growth and survival of many species of finfish and shellfish.  Considerable debate continues among scientists, regulators, managers, and users over the impacts of dredging in shallow waters.

At one point during the conference, two panels of invited speakers will be organized around the central theme of dredging at major ports.  The first will feature presentations from the New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Norfolk Port communities.  The second panel will allot  Port representatives the opportunity to present and discuss key issues dealing with dredging.

There will be an additional three sessions dealing with various dredging topics.  The first will focus on dredging impacts in the major ports.  The second will deal with commercial and recreational boating.  The third will examine dredging in the smaller channels and the “need” for direct vessel access.

For the remaining time representatives from scientific, regulatory, management, and non-governmental organizations, and the private sector are invited to submit abstracts geared toward:

• Beneficial uses of dredge material (e.g. beach replenishment, synthetic soil conditioning, Brownfield reclamation, or strip mine reclamation).

• Contaminated dredging (e.g. new disposal techniques, and the Hudson River PCB Removal Program).

• Dredge disposal alternatives 

• Dredging’s impact on SAV, benthics, emergent wetlands, fish fabitat, and other critical habitats

• Other topics dealing with dredging or its effects on shallow water habitat

• Biological, chemical, geological, and/or physical factors of the shallow water zone

• Human activities occurring in the shallow water zone, such as fishing, boating, and land use practices along the shoreline, that impact shallow water habitat.

 Submission of Abstracts

Copies of abstracts and accompanying disks in WordPerfect 6.1, Word 4.0 or higher IBM PC compatible versions are due by October 26, 2001.  Authors selected for oral presentations will be requested to prepare a 15-minute talk.  Submissions for poster presentations are also encouraged. 

 Required Format for Abstracts 

 

TITLE OF ABSTRACT (ALL CAPS, centered) -blank line- Author(s), affiliation(s), and address(es) (centered) -Blank line- Body of abstract not to exceed 200 words in 12pt. Times Roman or equivalent font (left justified).

 Send hard copies and disks to:

Ralph Spagnolo (3ES30)

1650 Arch Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029

Or, email your WordPerfect file in the above format to:

ambrogio.edward@epa.gov or spagnolo.ralph@epa.gov

 Questions concerning submissions should be directed to Ralph Spagnolo, (215) 814-2718, or Ed Ambrogio (215) 814-2758 (or via email).

For any other questions contact Frank Reilly by telephone (540) 286-0072, Fax (540) 286-0073 or email Frank@TheReillyGroup.net