August 10, 2021 | From City of New Orleans
EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference Kicks off with Stormwater Bike Tour in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans announced that this week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting its 23rd Annual Region 6 Stormwater Conference, convening more than 200 stormwater managers from New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The annual conference is being hosted by EPA Region 6, Texas A&M University Kingsville, the City of New Orleans, Jefferson Parish and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans.
“In New Orleans just this year, we have had some of the largest rainfalls really since the National Weather Service started to document them in 1871. In fact, just between March and May of this year, we have had more rainfall than in 1871. We know that what we’re doing now just in terms of our environment, that the challenges are real,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “In many ways, we have gone from tragedy to triumphs, quickly becoming a model of building back a resilient city. The EPA has been there every step of the way, helping neighborhoods, communities and cities see their potential and realize it.”
“New Orleans is a regional leader in stormwater management and a fitting setting for this year’s conference,” said Ramsey Green, Deputy CAO of Infrastructure and Chief Resilience Officer. “We’re looking forward to sharing our successes and lessons learned with peers from throughout the southeast to incorporate into our stormwater management program.”
The conference kicked off with a stormwater bike tour through New Orleans and continues with technical presentations and tours throughout the city through Thursday, Aug. 12. This year’s conference includes extra COVID-19 precautions including spacing masked-attendees six feet from one another and parallel on-line course offerings.
Among the conference speakers are City of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, City of New Orleans Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Infrastructure Ramsey Green, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) Executive Director Ghassan Korban, Louisiana State Climatologist Dr. Barry Keim, EPA Green Infrastructure Program Lead Robyn DeYoung and Loyola University Center for Environmental Communications Director Dr. Bob Thomas.
Stormwater professionals may continue to sign up for the virtual elements of the conference at 2021 EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference - Virtual (tamuk.edu).
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