October - AWRA Florida

October 2014
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Michael DelCharco, P.E.
President
Jacksonville
Gary Howalt, P.W.S.
Vice President
Jacksonville
Kristin K. Bennett, Esq.
Secretary
Stuart
Mark C. Diblin, P.G.
Treasurer
Gainesville
Carol Hinton
Past President 2013
Gainesville
Annette Carter
Past-President 2012
Stuart
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ed Call
Brooksville
Catherine Katsikis
Royal Palm Beach
Joanne Chamberlain, P.E.
Palatka
Richard Creech, P.E., P.S.M
Stuart
L. Donald Duke, Ph.D., P.E.
Ft. Myers
Carol Howard
Sebring
Gregg Jones, P.G.
Tampa
Jeremy McBryan, P.E., CFM
West Palm Beach
Walt Reigner, P.E., CPESC
Lakeland
Krista D. Sabin
Palm Beach Gardens
Catherine A. Walker, P.E.
Palatka
Garrett Wallace
West Palm Beach
Shayne Wood, P.E.
Jacksonville
AWRA Florida Section Meeting, St. Augustine, FL
Flagler College, Virginia Room of the Ringhaver Student Center
Saint Augustine, Florida. Friday, November 21, 2014
“Hot Topics in Water Resources with a North Florida Focus”
The highlights of the agenda include an update on the Jacksonville Harbor Deepening
Project and updates from the St. Johns River Water Management District on both the
Springs Protection Initiative and the North Florida Water Initiative. Following the technical
meeting will be a special networking event that includes a walking history/trivia/scavenger
hunt that is sure to be enjoyed by all.
The timing of the meeting couldn’t be better with the annual
Nights of Lights for St. Augustine starting on Saturday
November 22, 2014. During Nights of Lights, St. Augustine
glows with holiday magic - from the ground to the rooftops.
Selected by National Geographic in 2011 & 2012 as one of
the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world!
So, register now for the November Meeting at:
www.awraflorida.org. Note: Students can register for $10 up until noon on Nov. 14th – after
that, the student registration fee will be $50.
One of the best benefits of AWRA meeting is the networking and technical conversation
opportunities. As AWRA National always says, ‘AWRA is about Community, Conversation
and Connections’ and your registration and attendance at the event will get you up-tospeed on many of the complex issues facing the water community in Florida. This is also a
great chance to secure PDHs, especially for those P.E.’s who need to renew in February.
AWRA, Florida Section sincerely thanks our sponsors. Without them, this and the other
bi-monthly meetings would not be possible.
For ideas on where to stay while attending the meeting, please visit the City of
St. Augustine’s official tourism site: www.floridashistoriccoast.com. Be sure to reserve your
hotel early as they will be in high demand for the Nights of Lights event. See you there!
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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Florida AWRA October 2014 Technical Meeting
Virginia Room of Ringhaver Student Center at Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL
Friday November 21, 2014 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
(Lunch Provided with Registatrion)
AGENDA – Tentative Presenters and Topics
“Hot Topics in Water Resources with a North Florida Focus”
Friday, November 21st
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Florida Section Board of Directors Meeting - at the St. Augustine City Hall, a short walk from
City Hall to Flagler College - All are welcome to attend as the Board of Directors handles the
business of the section
12:00 p.m.
Welcoming Remarks from Mayor of St. Augustine and/or City Manager John Regan
1: 00 p.m.
State Representative Lake Ray and Brian Taylor (CEO JAXPORT - Invited) – Jacksonville
Harbor Channel Deepening Update
1:30 p.m.
John Fitzgerald – Update from the St. Johns River Water Management District on the North
Florida Water Initiative
2:00 p.m.
15-minute Break
2:15 p.m.
Dr. Terri Seron – Flagler College Coastal Environmental Science Department Chair
2:45 p.m.
Rick Hutton – North Florida Utility Coordination Group – North Florida Public Water Supply Use
Trends
3:00 p.m.
15-minute Break
3:15 p.m.
Mike Cullum – SJRWMD’s Springs Protection Initiative
4:00 p.m.
Reuben C. Franklin Jr. – 450-years of Water Resources Management in the Nation’s Oldest City
4:30 p.m.
Overview of the Walking History Trivia/Scavenger Hunt Tour of the Nation’s Oldest City
Meeting Sponsors
as of 10/18/14
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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Board of Directors Summary
The Florida Section AWRA Board of Directors (BOD) met September 18, 2014
6:30-8:15 p.m. The detailed agenda and minutes will be included on the Section
website following BOD approval of the minutes at the November 21 BOD
meeting.
Highlights of the meeting include:
• Treasurer: “we have money.” However, the Education Committee’s
generosity needs to be evaluated.
• Education Program: Financial support is being provided to ten (10) people
to attend AWRA National in November 2014. Education Committee is to schedule a meeting to address revisions to the
student support budget.
• Student Support: Don Duke, Ron Edenfield, Karen Bickford (and a host of others!) were involved in the planning and
execution of the “Meet the professionals” night at FGCU. There were approximately 12 exhibitors, fifty students and 20-30
professionals.
• Tellers Committee: the results of the 2014 elections are official. New members are: Luna Phillips, Roger Copp and Ray
Scott. The new board members will assume their positions at the January 2015 board meeting.
• National: The Florida Chapter was again awarded the AWRA Chapter of the year (2013). Natalie Nelson (UF) received
the Herbert scholarship. The Florida Section Student Poster Competition will be held at the Ft. Myers meeting. Winner of
the competition will be supported to attend the National meeting in November 2015. Discussions being held on how to add
value to membership including educational offerings such as webinars.
• Membership/Merchandising: Discussion held regarding AWRA merchandise. AWRA may be able to offer merchandise
with the AWRA logo. Board members to follow up with members to determine the level of interest.
• Upcoming Meetings: November 21, St. Augustine; February 6, 2015 Ft. Myers, March 2015 – TBD; May 2015 – TBD; July
23-24 Key Largo; September 2015 – TBD; November 2015- TBD
• 2015 Annual Meeting – July 23-24 in Key Largo
• Next BOD meeting: November 21
Board meetings are open to all members of the Florida Section AWRA and their guests. Members and guests are encouraged
to get involved and increase the value of their AWRA membership.
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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AWRA Florida Section Meeting: Technical Summaries of Presentations
September 19th AWRA Annual Meeting
Tampa, FL
FDEP’s Numeric Nutrient Criteria: Status, Lessons Learned from Tampa Bay, and the Path Forward
Daryll Joyner, Water Quality Standards Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Mr. Joyner discussed the current estuary NNC Rulemaking, the status of adopted NNCs, the basic approach for estuary
NNCs. He also presented some lessons learned, water quality trading issues, and information on tidal creek NNCs. The
DEP realized the need to “maintain the narrative” (or existing) nutrient criterion and numerically interpret it using best
available information on a site-specific basis using a systematic, hierarchical approach. This allowed the DEP to use, for
example, NNC for Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor developed by their respective NEPs. Over last 2 ½
years, DEP has adopted NNC for all lakes and spring vents, most estuaries, and for all streams (“flowing waters”) except
in South Florida. A 2013 FL law opened up trading of water quality credits (Chapter 2013-146) and authorized trading in
restoration plans. The DEP held workshops in August and plans to hold additional workshops to present rule language.
Tidal creeks are not the same ecosystems as estuaries and so the DEP will apply existing narratives and NEP studies.
Overview of the Tampa Bay Nitrogen Management Program
Holly Greening and Ed Sherwood, Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Ms. Greening presented an overview of how the bay was and the incredible come back seen in recent years. The
restoration efforts, started by Citizen Action, Agency on Bay Management in the early 1980’s, SWIM program in the late
1980’s, and the TBNP in 1990, captured the collaborative approach and made sure public and private sectors worked in
tandem to achieve restoration goals. These partners formed the Tampa bay Nitrogen Management Consortium (NMC)
in 1996 with the goal of reducing N loads to the bay. Over 45 NMC participants worked to implement over 300 projects
between 1996 and 2013. As a result – drastic water quality improvements. And as a result, seagrasses have responded.
The NMC continues to contribute to improving the system. They have developed TMDL target goals and all parties
signed on to act in good faith. They have identified the goals and agreed to contribute funds to support the technical work.
Overview of the Nitrogen Management Consortium and Anticipated Future Challenges
Craig Kovach, Mosaic Fertilizer LLC
Mr. Kovach, a partner in the NMC mentioned in the Tampa Bay Estuary Program discussion above, presented the
challenging aspects of signing on to and agreeing to N targets. The 1998 NMC action plan called for reducing N by
84 tons per year (TPY) over 5 years. In reality, the NMC enacted 100 projects that reduced N by 163-184 TPY – a
resounding success. The NMC continued to build strength and have success. But then in the years between 2006 and
2012 a rash of regulations challenged the consortium. This included efforts from EPA/FDEP on cumulative permitted
load, Final WQBEL, and NPDES permit negotiations. But the NMC continues to face the issues and work towards
collaborative efforts that will continue to reduce loading to the Bay.
Using the Tampa Bay Action Plan Database to Track Nitrogen Management Projects and Estimated Load
Reductions
Gerold Morrison, AMEC; Ed Sherwood, Tampa Bay Estuary Program; Terry Hansen, Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
This database is a joint effort brought about through the BMAP program funding. The need was for the TBNEP to track
existing projects and the FDEP to track BMAP work in the Bay area. The software requirements included a web-accessible,
GIS based open sources platform that is user friendly for stakeholders, users, and the public. In the end, the software
achieves the goal of providing one-source data repository for tracking nutrient load reduction projects in the Tampa Bay
watershed. It allows a mulit-tiered set of users, allows public access to viewing geospatial data and produce reports.
Climate change and Resiliency in Tampa Bay
Gary Mitchum, University of South Florida
Dr. Mitchum presented a through and humorous look at the current understanding of sea level change. Even
with large unknowns, it is clear things are changing. The good news is that we have better and better tools for
measuring sea level. These tools show a steady increase in sea level from many angles.
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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Old Tampa Bay Integrated Model System: Examining Effects of Nutrient Management Scenarios
Tony Janicki, Janicki Environmental; Brett Cunningham, Jones Edmunds & Associates; Steve Peene, Applied
Technology & Management; James Fitzpatrick, HDR; Kellie Dixon, Mote Marine Laboratory; Mike Wessel, Janicki
Environmental; and Ray Pribble, Janicki Environmental
The primary objectives of the development of an integrated model system for the Old Tampa Bay estuarine system
and drainage areas is to use this system to predict and evaluate ecological responses that may result from the
implementation of management actions represented in the model scenarios developed in this project. The team was
tasked to develop, calibrate and validate an integrated model system for Old Tampa Bay that will be able to determine
the net ecological changes associated with the implementation of the management actions and modeling scenarios. The
Old Tampa Bay integrated model system includes the following components: Watershed Model, Hydrodynamic Model,
Water and sediment quality Model, Optical Model, and Ecological Model. Some of the management scenarios include
diversion of Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal discharge, physical alteration of the Courtney Campbell and Howard Frankland
Causeways, sea level rise, and many combinations of outfall, point and non-point source reductions. The model uses
Net Environmental Benefits (NEB) that represents the overall net ecological response to a particular management action.
This tool will greatly benefit the NEP as it develops future management strategies.
The Role of Water Quality Credit Trading in Nutrient Reduction Programs
Winston Borkowski, Hopping Green & Sams
Mr. Borkowski gave an overview of the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) amendments that created three interrelated water
quality programs: Water Quality (WQ) Standards Program, NPDES Permit Program, and the TMDL Program. These
three programs are tied together and create the framework for discussing all of Florida’s water quality issues. The basic
concepts for WQ trading:
•
Regulatory Driver – something has to be reduce (e.g. TN in Tampa Bay)
•
Some can do it better than others—can exceed the minimum reduction assigned to their operations
•
Exceeding minimum creates a “credit”
•
Others parties cannot meet their minimum reduction—must buy “credit” for compliance
But, then things get complicated. How do you define the units (lbs of TN?), how long do credits last, what about
uncertainty? Even further, things are complicated when you try to broker or track trades. In the end, trading could be a
useful tool in nutrient reduction programs. That assumes the program can mature to meet EPA requirements and have
legitimate market trading. The NMC – mentioned in several talks previously – is a model program without formal trading.
Update on Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Activities
Amber Whittle, FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Ms. Whittle gave an overview of RESTORE ACT funding – and pointed out that 30% of the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust
Fund will go to Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. Transocean has begun payment to the Fund and $376.5M
is currently available. The Council has published several documents covering the “path forward” and programmatic
assessments. The Goals of the Council are: Restore and Conserve Habitat, Restore Water Quality, Replenish and
Protect Living Coastal and Marine Resources, Enhance Community Resilience, and Restore and Revitalize the Gulf
Economy. Florida’s RESTORE Priorities are Stormwater / Wastewater infrastructure projects,Community resilience /
Living shorelines, Water quality projects including those which achievewater quality benefits provided by the preservation
of buffer lands around military bases, Implementation of agriculture best management practices, and Fish and wildlife
habitat and management. The status of Florida’s RESTORE activities is:
•
1200 projects ($16B) submitted on DEP website
•
Must comply with stipulations in the Act: Priority Criteria, Best Available Science, Public Engagement and
Transparency
•
$150-180M in first round ($50-60M for FL)
•
Nov. 17: up to 5 projects for each of 11 Council Members
•
Current project ideas: NEPs (EPA, states), Land Acquisition (MS), CCMPs for non-NEP Estuaries,
Agricultural BMPs (USDA)
•
Public Input (Sept. 23 webinar, Oct. 22 Meeting in Panama City)
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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The
Another great meeting put to stern! We had a great gathering of folks at the Rusty Pelican in
Tampa. We had a great co-sponsor with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and it was great
to catch up with colleagues from my old stomping grounds. Thanks to Board Member Walt
Reigner, Dymarie Perez, and their crew at AMEC for putting together such a great meeting!
Only one more meetings left in 2014, St. Augustine! You’ll find all the information in this
newsletter. It is November 21st in St. Augustine on the campus of Flagler College. Board
member Shayne Wood and SJRWMD’s Michael Cullum are lining up a winner that will
include great technical presentations and a look into the history of St. Augustine as we help
celebrate the 450th anniversary of the City.
Personally, I have been trying to spend more time in St. Augustine. In order to fully
indoctrinate my children with the sailing gene, we kept a sailboat there for a good while. Best trip I had on it was
for AWRA! Michael Cullum and I (with a couple others) sailed it from St. Augustine to Fernandina for the first
AWRA meeting in 2009. We even had a sailing field trip in the freezing cold taking some hardy AWRA folks from
Fernandina to Cumberland Island. That’s when Shayne Wood found out that sailing is slow and he’ll probably
prefer to take motorboats in the future.
I guess the indoctrination worked, all my kids love sailing and my 16 year old just
bought his first boat – a 16 ft Sunbird. I couldn’t be prouder!
Whatever your sporting passion is, I recommend you get out on the water. There is
no better way to connect our professional and personal lives than to enjoy the very
places and hydrologic systems we are working to understand, protect, and manage.
If everyone spent time on the water – like many did after our Tampa meeting
kayaking in Cooper’s Bayou – they would try a little harder to protect our greatest
natural resource. I am sure my kids will value water like we do – even if they don’t
work in it as a profession. They will work to keep our estuaries healthy and streams
and springs flowing clean because they want to spend time on them. There is no
better way to learn good water resources.
It has been a blast being President for 2014. I am sorry to see it go! Standard
procedure is to remain on the board for 2 years as past president – I may revive that
trip to Cuba yet! Long sail anyone?
Be sure to register on-line for our November meeting at www.awraflorida.org.
Hope to see you at a meeting soon!
Michael DelCharco, P.E.
mdelcharco@taylorengineering.com
Captain Timothy DelCharco with
his first boat
September Meeting Thanks
Thank you for joining us at the AWRA September 2014 Technical
Meeting. I appreciate your taking time from your busy schedule to
join us and hope that you found the event to be both interesting and
informative. I encourage everyone to invite friends and colleagues to
attend future events and consider joining the Florida Section of the
American Water Resources Association. Thanks again!
Dymarie Perez
AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc.
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
Page 6
Membership
Our Section continues to grow. Please welcome some of our newest members
and take a few minutes to introduce yourself at an upcoming meeting.
Elie Araj
Anthony Betts
Applied Sciences Consulting, Inc.
Environmental Protection Commission of
Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Public Works
Allan Biddlecomb
AMEC
Jonathan Bilby
SWFWMD
Emma Lopez
Jan MandrupPoulsen
Caroline Masek
Ivana Blankenship
Tampa Bay Water
Robert McDaniel
SWFWMD
Tara Bourcy
Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc.
Karen Miller
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates
Curtis Burkett
McKim & Creed, Inc.
Renee Murch
INTERA
Scott Deitche
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
David O’Brien, Jr.
SurvTech Solutions Inc.
Derek Doughty
Applied Sciences Consulting, Inc.
Dymarie Perez
AMEC
Paula Dye
Tampa Bay Water
Curtis Porterfield
Ron Edenfield
RMEC, LLC
Robert M. Powell
Timothy English
Reiss Engineering, Inc.
Dharma Ramos
City of Lakeland
Pinellas County Department of
Environment and Infrastructure
Yara North America
David Glicksberg
Hillsborough County Public Works
Thomas Ries
Scheda Ecological Associates Inc.
James Greco
Interflow Engineering LLC
Megan Ross
Pinellas County Utilities
Kevin Grimsley
United States Geological Survey
Ed Sherwood
Tampa Bay Estuary Program
Daniel Hammond
Cardno
Laurie Smith
City of Lakeland
Jeff Harris
Pasco County
Charlene Stroehlen
AMEC
Chelsea Hazlett
University of Florida (student)
University of South Florida (student)
Hayley Hoover
University of South Florida (student)
Grace M. Johns
Hazen and Sawyer
Brian Studiale
Gustavo Suarez
Narvaez
Mary Szafraniec
Todd Kafka
Patrick Tara
INTERA
Andrew Tilton
Johnson Engineering Inc.
Stephanie Kitzerow
Geosyntec Consultants
Environmental Protection Commission of
Hillsborough County
AMEC
Emily Varner
University of South Florida (student)
David Kramer
SWFWMD
Michael Walters
Interflow Engineering LLC
Carolyn Lang
University of South Florida (student)
Jeffrey Wilbur
Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc.
Richard LeBlanc
HDR Engineering, Inc.
Tao Xia
University of Florida (student)
Tom Ash
David Karlen
Claudia Listopad
Applied Ecology, Inc.
Maria Loinaz
A.D.A. Engineering, Inc.
University of South Florida (student)
Dynamic Solutions, LLC
INTERA
SJRWMD
AMEC
You can renew your membership, change the level of your membership, and update your contact information from our
website - www.awraflorida.org. The online membership application is available by clicking Join on our home page or by
navigating to the Membership page, which is under Get Involved.
Thank you for your participation!
Joanne Chamberlain
Membership Services Coordinator
jchamber@sjrwmd.com • 561-707-8301
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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A Message from the Education Committee
The Rosanne Clementi Education Program
Education Committee: Rosanne Clementi, Clementi Environmental Consulting; Kristin Bennett, Tetra Tech,
Inc.; Mark Diblin, AMEC, Jeremy McBryan, SFWMD
In the previous newsletter, you had the opportunity to read about the 2014 recipients of the J.B. Butler Science Grant,
the William V. Storch Award and the Sanford N. Young Scholarship. If you missed it, you can access the August
newsletter on the website – www.awraflorida.org. Those that attended the July meeting had the pleasure of meeting
Alice Alonso, William V. Storch recipient and at the September meeting, Natalie Nelson, Sanford N. Young recipient.
Ms. Nelson is also the recipient of the AWRA National Herbert Scholarship.
In this edition, we have included feedback from a few of the recipients.
Sanford N. Young Scholarship
Natalie Nelson
Dear members of the board,
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to you all in selecting me as a recipient of this year’s Sanford N. Young
Scholarship. I’m truly very honored to be receiving a scholarship that has been created in recognition of such a
dedicated water resources professional and patriot.
I have been in a somewhat strange situation in that I have funding for myself, but not for my research. I created my
dissertation project from the ground up, and am now ready to start getting my feet wet in the field - but I’ve been stuck
trying to secure funds to do so! This scholarship money will greatly help in achieving this goal. I am so appreciative of
you all, and the other members of the Florida Section, who so generously donated money to support this scholarship
and time in reviewing the applications and ultimately selecting me as an awardee. I can’t thank you all enough!
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Tampa!
With thanks and appreciation,
Natalie Nelson
PhD Student
NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Agricultural & Biological Engineering | University of Florida
William V. Storch Award
Jason Goodrich
Dear Members of the American Water Resources Association, Florida Section:
In addition to the paper copy, I wanted to follow-up with this e-mail so that I may have the opportunity to thank everyone.
I am truly honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2014 William V. Storch Student Scholarship. I am writing
to offer my sincere gratitude for your generous, financial support towards my higher education.
I am currently a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University, where I am actively pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil
Engineering with aspirations to earn a Master’s in Environmental Engineering.
The William V. Storch Student Scholarship will be invaluable in helping me with tuition costs, providing me with the
opportunity to fulfill my dreams as a Utilities Director. I look forward to making a greater contribution in this field and the
opportunity to give back to the community. Your financial generosity has allowed me to be one step closer to my goal. I
will, with determination and commitment, succeed in fulfilling my dream.
Thanks,
Jason Goodrich
Lead WW Treatment Operator, City of Sanibel, Donax WRF
930 Donax Street
Sanibel, Florida 33957
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
Page 8
J.B. Butler Science Grant
William Bianco, Rymfire Elementary
On behalf of my school Rymfire Elementary and my students I would like to thank you all for awarding us a grant. We
will make good use of it.
Reminder of the Rymfire Project: Students will be reusing our raised bed gardens to grow fruits and vegetables. We
had an indoor hydroponics lab that will be moving outside this year. Students will work on all aspects of creating and
maintaining 3 separate outdoor hydroponic systems. Each system will be self-contained and water levels and nutrients
will be measured and revitalized by the students. If time and funding lasts, we will add an aquaponics section with Koi
fish and plants co-existing. The end results will focus on students learning plant structures and their roles with in the
plant. Students will track the path of water and nutrients through the plants and the hydroponic systems. Students will
be charged with comparing and contrasting plants grown hydroponically versus plants grown traditionally in the raised
beds. Students will record and use data to teach lower grades the basics of hydroponics and gardening. They will
also reinforce their knowledge of the structures and roles of the different parts of plants. Students also will be able to
visualize pollination and the affects that seasons have on plant growth.
Support for students at the 2014 AWRA National Meeting
The AWRA Board of Directors approved the Education Committee recommendation to provide financial assistance for
nine students attending the 2014 AWRA National Meeting in Tyson’s Corner, Va.
We could not provide this assistance to the students without the financial support provided by our AWRA
members. For that support WE THANK YOU! The Education Program is funded through meeting profits, membership
registration, the annual silent auction and direct donations to the education program. You can make a donation directly
from the website at www.awraflorida.org. The AWRA Florida section is a 501(c)(3) organization.
When you are at the conference, be sure to find our Florida students! You can help the students by letting them practice
their presentation and providing constructive feedback, by helping them network and introducing them to meeting
attendees and maybe even take them out for a meal (you know…help the “poor starving student”).
• Natalie Nelson – University of Florida
• Jeffry Kast – University of Florida
• Hari Kandel – Florida International University
• Yogesh Khare – University of Florida
• Michele Weitzel – Florida Gulf Coast University
• Samantha Schreiner – University of Florida
• Isabella Bergonzoli – Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches
• JoseMarie Silverstrini - Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches
• Katelyn Slaight - Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches
• Teresa Thorton - Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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National
News
2014 Annual Meeting
The 2014 Annual Meeting will be held on November 3 through 6 in Tysons Corner VA, a short hop from the
AWRA national headquarters and an easy Metro ride to Washington D.C. The theme is Fifty Years of Water
Resources Management: Where Have We Been, Where are We Going? Conference organizers plan to
draw presentations from many decision-makers, policy analysts, and science researchers from a range of
Federal agencies and the multiple State and regional institutions in the D.C. region, along with the nationwide
participation that is always expected. The location and likely attendees should lead to plenty of thoughtful
discussions on the state of the art and immediate future plans on the history and future of water resources
in the U.S.
Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship
Natalie Nelson from the University of Florida is the 2014/2015 Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship
recipient.
Ms. Natalie Nelson is a Florida native and a University of Florida graduate student developing a specialization
in Water Resources Engineering. She has incorporated AWRA’s mission to advance multidisciplinary water
resources education and investigation within her program by threading several fields into her research and
curriculum. Ms. Nelson’s principal area of study is Hydrologic and Wetland Sciences and she is doing research
in algal bloom and hydrologic modeling. She is an enthusiastic member of and leader in the UF AWRA student
chapter.
Ms. Nelson’s specialization in Water Resources Engineering is channeled through her Ph.D. program in the
Agricultural and Biological (ABE) Department at UF. Certificates in Hydrologic Sciences and Wetland Science
through UF’s Water Institute and Center for Wetlands are also integral to her academic performance. She was
awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship the summer after graduating with her
B.S. in ABE from UF in May 2012, developing a data collection plan for her dissertation project. Ms. Nelson’s
research hones in on ecosystem-scale dynamics of algal blooms in relation to nutrient ratios and hydrology.
Much like plants, algae rely on light and nutrient availability to thrive. An excess of nutrients often leads to
algal overgrowth, resulting in a condition described as an “algal bloom.” However, unlike plants, many taxa of
algae have developed unique abilities that enable them to access nutrients from several parts of their physical
environment aside from the water column, such as from the sediment and/or atmosphere. These alternative
nutrient-capturing capacities not only enable some algae to grow in low nutrient conditions, but also to modify the
water chemistry of the affected water body. Cyanobacteria, or “blue-green” algae, are a common type of algae
that possess these efficient nutrient-fixing abilities.
About the Award:
In 1980, AWRA established the Endowment-Memorial Fund to be used for the enhancement of education in
water resources. The fund has since been renamed the Richard A. Herbert Memorial Educational Fund to honor
Richard A. Herbert -- a champion for water resources education -- who passed away in 1994. In order to carry
out his vision, AWRA is proud to announce the availability of scholarships derived from the proceeds of this fund.
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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the
Watershed
Editor:
Gregg Jones, Technical Director/V.P.
Cardno ENTRIX
3905 Crescent Park Dr. • Riverview, FL 33578
Phone (813) 664-4500 • Fax (813) 664-0440
gregg.jones@cardno.com
the
Watershed is assembled and published by
®
Cardno ENTRIX, a proud sponsor of the Florida
Section of AWRA.
VISIT THE FLORIDA SECTION WEBSITE AT:
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Contact Upcoming Meeting Chairs Regarding Sponsorship or Assistance
Florida Section American Water Resource Association
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