Since 2001, the University of Toledo College of Law has hosted an annual Great Lakes Water Conference that brings together leading academics, policy makers, and legal practitioners to explore the range of legal issues facing the Great Lakes. I make the trip down to Toledo almost every year for the conference, as it has become a reliably useful and productive forum to debate current issues and exchange cutting-edge ideas. Professor Ken Kilbert has continued to develop the program every year, and this year’s conference on November 13 has a great lineup of topics and speakers.
Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan (the leading critic of the Great Lake compact in Congress last year) and Cam Davis, the EPA’s point person on Great Lakes restoration, are the headlining keynote speakers. Other panels and speakers will discuss Great Lakes restoration and implementing the Great Lakes compact. I’m moderating a panel on the reach of the Clean Water Act, focusing on recent developments in wetlands jurisdiction and protection, regulation of ballast water discharges, and water transfers. For the full agenda and registration information, see the conference brochure.
