Friday, March 12, 1999
8:50 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., SD-124 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:15 - 8:50 a.m.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute, the Federal Water Quality Association and the National Capital Chapter of the American Water Resources Association invite you to a symposium on water resource issues beyond the turn of the century, both internationally and domestically.

Two factors widely expected to have profound effects on water resources in the next century are global climate change and changing demographics. Their effects on water resources could in turn have significant effects on land resources, human health and infrastructure. For example, significant global warming will greatly increase evaporation of moisture to the atmosphere and could increase severe storm activity in some areas, accompanied by flooding, destruction of crops and infrastructure, disease, starvation and severe economic consequences. In other areas, the result could be just the opposite - increased drought and desertification. In either event, the results, in human terms, would be exacerbated if population continues to increase at current rates and to concentrate in urbanized areas.

These are the types of issues that will be addressed by a "Blue Ribbon" panel of experts. The keynote speaker, William Cosgrove, currently stationed in Paris as Director of the Water Vision Unit of the World Water Council (Secretariat of the World Commission for the 21st Century) will present "A World Water Vision". Other speakers and their topics will be:

• Robert Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, "Water Resources of the U.S.: Changing Conditions and Changing Use";

• Donald Boesch, President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, "Global Change and the Chesapeake Bay";

• Matthew Chico, Regional Associate for Latin America and the Caribbean, American Red Cross, "The Human Side of Water: Hurricanes Mitch and Georges";

• Jerry Galloway, Secretary, U.S.Section, International Joint Commission,"Flood Plain Management Policy and Transboundary Issues at the U.S./Canada Border";

• Paul Epstein, Associate Director, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School, "Marine Ecosystems: Emerging Diseases as Indicators of Change";

• Ann Carey, Special Assistant for Strategic Natural Resource Issues, USDA,"Water Scarcity as a Future Constraint for Worldwide Agriculture", and

• Jerry Delli Priscolli, Institute for Water Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, "Emerging Ethic Issues of the UNESCO World Commission on Freshwater Management".

An added bonus will be a preview tape of the forthcoming three-part PBS documentary miniseries," Journey to Planet Earth", narrated by actress Kelly McGillis. The Emmy award-winning producers of the series, Marilyn and Hal Weiner will introduce the tape. Following the symposium there will be a complete showing of the first episode, Rivers of Destiny, for those who wish to stay and watch it.

The symposium is open to the public, and no reservations are required. For further information call EESI at (202) 662-1886.