John Stulp to Address Issues for Arkansas River Basin Water Forum

The 2011 Arkansas River Basin Water Forum will take place at Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Wednesday and Thursday, April 27th and 28th. The Forum will be hosted by the Fountain Creek Watershed Flood Control and Greenway District.

Registration information and a complete program can be found at: www.arbwf.org, and online registration is available through the website.

Keynote speaker John Stulp, Governor Hickenlooper’s Special Policy Advisor on Water Issues, will update attendees on the progress of the Inter Basin Compact Committee, which has been charged with solving the problem of how Colorado’s finite supply of water can meet growing demands as the state’s population increases.

Presentation panels will discuss topics including:

• Watershed restoration theory and practice
• Land use planning and watershed health
• Water quality issues, including nutrient criteria and emerging contaminants
• Announcement of the annual Bob Appel “Friend of the Arkansas” award\

Thursday’s luncheon speaker will be Chris Woodka, water reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain, who will provide a unique and entertaining perspective on the challenges and rewards of explaining the complex, crucial topic of water to southern Colorado readers. Copies of the Chieftain’s series “Coming Up Short – Stretching Our Water Supply” will be distributed.

Forum participants will have the opportunity to observe Fountain Creek restoration efforts firsthand during a field trip to Clear Springs Ranch along Fountain Creek, south of the city of Fountain, following Wednesday’s panel sessions.