The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District announced, today, it will host the Ohio River Basin Inspection Tour, Oct. 17-19.
The ORBIT is designed to promote collaboration between the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division leadership; local, state and other federal agency officials; and industry stakeholders. The event promotes a face-to-face opportunity for participants to discuss shared interest and complex water resource issues in the region. The discussion will guide the future direction of Corps of Engineers’ investment in resources as informed by the needs and demands of the regional stakeholders. The theme of the ORBIT is “Energy, Economy, Environment and Infrastructure.”
Featured events: Tuesday, Oct. 17, Drury Plaza Hotel conference room, 745 Grant St. Pittsburgh
1 – 1:50 p.m., Congressman Bill Johnson, 6th District of Ohio
Congressman Johnson is a member of the Committee on Energy & Commerce and the Committee on the Federal Budget. He is also a member of the subcommittees on Communications & Technology, Energy & Power and Environment & Economy.
3 – 3:40 p.m., Ohio River Basin Climate Change Pilot Study
Featured speaker Gus Drum spent the last 43-plus years working on flood protection and dam rehabilitation projects for the Corps of Engineers. He was the lead planner of the Ohio River Basin Comprehensive Plan. Drum will present the Ohio River Basin Climate Change Pilot Study, which discusses the effects of climate change on the Ohio River Basin and possible steps stakeholders can take to mitigate its effects.
Featured event: Wednesday, Oct. 18, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave. Pittsburgh
2 – 2:15 p.m., Richard Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive
Fitzgerald plans to speak about the benefits the rivers provide to the city and regional economy and his vision for the Ohio River Basin.
Background: In 2009, the US Army Corps of Engineers conducted a Reconnaissance Study of the Ohio River Basin. This study focused on existing water resource, infrastructure reinvestment; identifying problems, needs, and opportunities; and, defining federal interest in future studies. The last comprehensive basin study prior to 2009 was conducted in 1968. ORBIT was created based on the need to bring stakeholders together as identified in the Reconnaissance Study to discuss current conditions and future goals.
For more information about ORBIT contact the Public Affairs Office at celrp-pa@usace.army.mil.
-30-