Next Week's Clean Water Summit Will Focus on Soil’s Role in Stormwater Management

The critical role of soil in protecting clean water is the topic of the 2012 Clean Water Summit, which convenes next week. Sponsored in part by the (MCWD), the event will bring together water resource managers, planners, designers, engineers, soil scientists and the public to learn how building and preserving healthy "living" soil is crucial for reducing stormwater runoff and removing pollutants that enter Minnesota lake and river systems.

The summit will take place Thursday, Sept. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the .

"For decades, when we were building communities, underground pipes would funnel water straight into ponds or lakes, taking many pollutants with it," said Leslie Yetka, MCWD Education Manager and lead planner of the 2012 Clean Water Summit. "Now our focus is on keeping the water where it falls and letting it soak into the ground.  And understanding the concept of 'living' soil—with its diverse microbial community—is integral to that process."

Presentations will address policies and practices related to soil, from a landscape scale to an individual site, and motivate participants to protect our soil systems, rejuvenate disturbed soil and use soil effectively for stormwater management.

Speakers will include Bill Hunt, Ph.D., professor at North Carolina State University and engineer who has assisted with the design, installation and monitoring of over 90 stormwater best management practices; Carl Rosen, Ph.D., professor and chair of the University of Minnesota Dept. of Soil, Water and Climate; Tim Kenny, Arboretum education director; LaDonna Redmond of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and more.

Registration fee is $50 for Arboretum members and $60 for non-members. Registration info is available at minnehahacreek.org/2012CWS.

Additional support for the summit is provided by Pentair, Plaisted Companies Inc. and the Capitol Region and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed Districts.           

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District covers approximately 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls. The District is charged by state law to protect, improve and manage water resources.