Attending conferences is an important way that researchers can stay connected with others in their field, refine scientific ideas, and foster collaborations for current or future work.

With a focus on national and international conferences for research visibility for promotion and tenure, it can be easy to overlook local conferences. However, local events offer a valuable chance to connect with local practitioners and stakeholders. Connecting to local practitioners increases the relevance of water research and can generate new ideas for your research. Local networks can be key players in helping find field sites or getting permission to work in certain areas. Furthermore, local conferences are a great way for your students to practice their first research talk in front of a supportive audience. These conferences are typically cheaper to attend than larger national or international conferences which is another added bonus.

In this issue, we want to highlight a couple of ways to connect locally. One is the Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO). Ohio WRC co-coordinates Luncheons with WMAO and assists with the annual WMAO Conference. We encourage our funded researchers to present at both venues. See the Spotlight with details for the December luncheon. Second is the State of Lake Erie Conference. This conference promotes collaborations between the science and policy communities—particularly lake-specific research, management, education, and nonprofit organizations—to broaden the discussion and provide diverse interaction among stakeholders. More details on these conferences and other local and regional conferences can be found in the opportunities section of the newsletter.

Approximately 50% of the world’s people live within 3 km of a river, and are vulnerable to streamflow extremes (flood/drought) and inadequate water quality. These two problems are linked, and are likely to worsen with climate change. However, the linkage between the two are poorly understood. Floods mobilize contaminants stored on the floodplain and overwhelm containment and treatment works. Droughts lower water levels, elevating pollutant concentrations, and stagnating flows (decreasing river re-oxygenation). In combination with warming waters, droughts increase the likelihood and severity of harmful algal blooms (HABs). This talk will provide background on the relationship between climate warming and hydrologic variability, and offer anecdotes of linkages with water quality problems, such as Hurricane Harvey in Houston, and repeated, varied, contamination of the Ohio River. The talk will conclude with discussion of what can be done to better characterize our risks, so that strategic investments can be made to reduce them.

The event will be held on December 8^th, from 12:00 PM-1:00PM via webinar (Webinar Instructions will be sent to attendees on December 7th). Please register here.

If you have any questions, email [email protected].

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Hosted by the IAGLR, the State of Lake Erie conference will feature two days of concurrent sessions, plenaries, and discussions. For more information about the request for abstracts and to submit please visit here. Abstracts are due November 5, 2021.

Universities Council on Water Resources and National Institutes of Water Resources are pleased to invite you to submit your abstracts for the 2022 Annual Conference. Abstracts are due January 24, 2022. We call your attention to a special focus on Water Resilience, to encourage conversations about how watersheds, ecosystems, infrastructure systems,

governance structures, and communities can adapt and transform in the face of current and future stressors.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Science Collaborative is pleased to announce two grant opportunities for the coming year- the Request for Science Transfer Proposals and the Request for Collaborative Research Pre-Proposals. These two grant programs support the co-development and application of relevant and usable knowledge to address critical coastal management issues identified by the NERR System to improve the long-term stewardship of the nation’s estuaries. Request for collaborative research pre-proposals are due December 7, 2021. Science transfer grant proposals are due February 24, 2022.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications focused on improving the quantitative evaluation of risks posed by chemical mixtures in the environment. The focus should be on the development and improvement, evaluation, and integration of predictive toxicology methods to evaluate environmental chemical mixtures. For more information please visit here. Proposals are due December 8, 2021.

Wastewater sampling has been widely deployed as a cost-effective, screening-level approach to assess infection levels in communities. EPA expects the research funded under this announcement will improve how wastewater surveillance systems are used for detection of pathogens in community populations. For information on eligibility, project specifications, or how to apply, please visit here. Applications are due December 15, 2021.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing research to develop cost-benefit tools to support the use of Enhanced Aquifer Recharge (EAR) as a viable, safe, and cost-effective water management strategy. This research is needed to assist communities throughout the United States in evaluating whether to invest in EAR strategies to improve water management and security. For information on eligibility, project specifications, or how to apply, visit here. There will be an informational webinar for applicants on December 1, register here. Applications are due January 13, 2022.

The Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) is interested in publishing research resulting from 104b and 104g grants in the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education (JCWRE). JCWRE is published three times per year (April, August & December) and is available on Wiley Online Library. Manuscripts may be submitted at any time, but should be submitted by February 15 to be considered for the August issue and June 15 for the December issue. More information about JCWRE, including author guidelines, can be found here.

The 2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC22) will feature traditional presentations and a poster session on the latest in emerging contaminant research, policies, and outreach in the soil, water, and air. Abstracts are requested on all aspects of emerging contaminants in the environment, including research, public health, policy, management, outreach, and education. Find out more information on the ECEC22 Submit Abstract page. Abstracts are due February 7, 2022.

To find more resources offered by Ohio WRC, please visit: https://wrc.osu.edu/resources

The Black River Preliminary Draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Report is now available for review and comment. The Clean Water Act requires Ohio EPA to prepare restoration plans for watersheds that do not meet the State's water quality goals. A new TMDL report has been drafted to address the impairments found during sampling in 2012 and will replace the 2008 TMDL report. The preliminary draft report and fact sheet are available for review and comment here. The comment deadline for review of the Black River Preliminary Draft TMDL Report has been extended to November 22, 2021.

DDAGW has reviewed rules within chapter 3745-34 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) to satisfy the five-year rule review requirements of section 106.03 of the Ohio Revised Code and is proposing to file the rule with amendments. The rule describes the regulations for construction, permitting, maintenance, operations, and closure of underground injection wells. Click here for the complete fact sheet describing this notice. Comments are due by November 22, 2021.

On October 13, 2021, Ohio EPA finalized the 401 Water Quality Certification for the 2022 Nationwide Permits proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 2022 Nationwide Permits will be effective after the final version is published in the Federal Register. This re-issuance includes the remaining 41 activities that were not included in the 2021 Nationwide Permits issued earlier this year. More information is available on the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water's 401 website.

House Bill 365 was introduced to amend section 6111.041 and to enact section 6109.26 of the Revised Code to require the Director of Environmental Protection to adopt rules establishing maximum allowable contaminant levels (MCLs) in drinking water and water quality standards for certain contaminants. These contaminants include per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); Chromium-6; and 1,4-dioxane. The bill specifies that the MCLs and water quality standards must be protective of public health,

including the health of pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and children.

House Bill 385 was introduced to amend sections 6111.04 and 6111.99 and to enact section 6111.61 of the Revised Code to prohibit a municipal corporation located within the Western Basin of Lake Erie from discharging any amount of waste into Ohio waters. This bill requires the Director of Environmental Protection to revoke all water pollution

discharge permits (NPDES permits) issued to municipal corporations in the Lake Erie

western basin for their treatment works and sewerage systems.

November 10, 2021 • Virtual

UCOWR presents a roundtable discussion centered around "Communicating Agricultural Irrigation Research to Stakeholders". This discussion will be facilitated by Mallika Arudi Nocco from University of California Davis' Department of Land, Air and Water Resources. For more information on future sessions and on how to register please visit here.

The Current Webinar Series: Building Human Capital in Conservation and Watershed Work

November 10, 2021 • Virtual

Human capital, or an individual’s skills and confidence to perform their job, is a critical ingredient of the power of people. Yet it is a limiting and often overlooked resource. Tune into this edition of The Current Webinar Series as we discuss new research and programming aiming at building human capital in conservation and watershed work. To learn more or to register visit here.

December 7, 2021 • Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center Columbus, Ohio & Virtual

We have a shared responsibility to restore the streams and wetlands of Ohio and beyond and this requires training ourselves and speaking openly about the best ways to do this work. Join this program to learn about the skills, trainings, and collaborations necessary to deliver a sustainable wetland and stream restoration project. To learn more about this event or to register please visit here.

December 7-8, 2021 • Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Va

As public agencies face challenges in finding ways to upgrade existing facilities and deliver new expansions, many are looking at P3s and alternative delivery models as an opportunity to facilitate growth. Learn how local, state, and federal agencies have overcome resource constraints and found ways to deliver critical infrastructure projects. The P3 Government Conference focuses on how advancements in procurement, design, financing, and O&M can be applied to your portfolio and next project. To register please visit here.

Have an event you'd like us to feature in our Newsletter? Email us at [email protected]!