Pennsylvania Dam Removal Conference to be Held January 31st.

There will be a one day conference on January 31st in eastern Pennsylvania that will address dam removal and rehabilitation in the state and region. It is likely that this very affordable conference would be helpful to paddlers interested in working on dam removal projects in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Registration for the conference is due by January 23rd. Please refer to the conference announcement below for additional information.

Dams: Rehabilitation or Removal ?

This conference, presented by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council in cooperation with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, will focus on the history, status and ecological impact of dams. Experts and activists in the field will address dam rehabilitation and removal from a number of different perspectives: ecological, economic , technical , legal, historic and recreation.

When: Saturday January 31st, 2004
8:30 to 400 pm

Where: Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
500 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA 19426

Regisration Information Below

This conference comes at a time when Pennsylvanians are facing tough decisions as to what to do with aging dams. Many dams that were built decades ago or longer, no longer serve their original purpose. Many have exceeded their expected lifespan and now pose a safety hazard. At the same time, our body of knowledge regarding the ecological impact of dams has grown, underpinning arguments for removing these structures and restoring the natural stream channel and ecosystems. However, these dams have also created impoundments that provide important recreational opportunities. Some of these structures are also a key part of the historical fabric of our region. We have been put in the position to evaluate our options, to try to rehabilitate and preserve the dam, integrate more ecologically friendly features such as fish ladders– or to remove it.

Agenda

Registration 8:30-9:00

Welcome & Overview 9:00-9:15

A Short History of Dams in Southeast Pennsylvania 9:15-9:30
Scott Carney, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Rehabilitation or Removal? Framing the Issues 9:30-10:00
Jack Kraeuter, Panel on Economic, Environmental, and Social Outcomes of
Dam Removal (Heinz Center project)

Ecological Impacts of Dams 10:00-10:45
Rebecca Brown, The Academy of Natural Sciences

Break 10:45-11:00

Economic and Regulatory Issues of Dams 11:00-12:00
Scott Carney, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Jack Kraeuter, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Ann Safley, State Historical Preservation Office

Lunch 12:00-12:45

Technical consideration of removal and rehabilitation 12:45-1:30
Mark Pennell, Joe Kula, David Andrews, URS Corporation

Rehabilitation Projects 1:30 – 2:15
Angelica and Antietam Dams
Charles Jones, City of Reading

Sweet Arrow Lake Dam
Denise Donmoyer, Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association

Break 2:15-2:30

Dam Removal Case Studies 2:30-3:50
Manatawny Dam: Academy of Natural Sciences, Greater Pottstown Watershed
Alliance, Delaware Riverkeeper Network

Good Hope Dam (Conodoguinet Creek): Conodoguinet Watershed Association, PA Fish and Boat Commission, American Rivers, United States Geological Survey

Closing 3:50-4:00

Registration

Conference Fee: $25 (Includes Lunch)
Name: ___________________________
Organization:______________________
Position: _________________________
Address: _________________________
________________________________
Phone: __________________________
Email: ___________________________

Mail Registration and payment to:

ATTN: Marissa Pappas
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
117 South 17th Street
Suite 2300
Philadelphia PA 19103
OR

Email: Mpappas@pecphila.org
(be sure to include all of the requested information)

Registrations with MasterCard and Visa will be taken over the phone.
Phone: 215-563-0250

Please register by January 23rd