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 always make the trip down to Toledo for this conference, and find it an excellent forum to debate current issues and exchange cutting-edge ideas. Professor Ken Kilbert runs a superb program every year, and this year’s conference on November 4 has another great lineup of topics and speakers.
The keynote speaker will be John Goss, Asian Carp Director for the Council on Environmental Quality. I’m moderating a panel titled “Regulating Water Use Within the Great Lakes Basin Under the Compact” featuring opponents and proponents of the bill vetoed by Ohio’s governor this summer (note that Brian Barger of Brady, Coyle & Schmidt will be speaking on the panel instead of former Ohio Senator – and now Judge – Tim Grendell who is unable to attend). The other panels are “Whose Shore Is It?” (addressing ownership and public access disputes along the Great Lakes shores), and “Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources” (exploring the law and impacts associated with the natural gas production method known as ‘fracking’). For the full agenda and registration information, see the conference brochure.
