Monday, September 25
1:30 Optional tour of the Milltown Dam removal and restoration site
Conference Registrants: If you wish to join us for the tour of the Milltown Dam removal and restoration site, drive to the River City Grill in Bonner (Exit 109 from I-90, five minutes east of Missoula) at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, September 25.
The tour will leave from the large River City Grill sign in the parking lot. We will carpool to the dam overlook on Deer Creek Road. The tour requires a short walk down a moderately steep dirt trail, so wear sturdy shoes, and bring layers for crisp fall weather. We will complete the tour by 3:30 p.m.
Transportation to the River City Grill will not be provided by the Conference. However, we encourage those participating in the tour to gather at the Holiday in Parkside, Monday at 1:00 pm to carpool to the River City Grill. This will facilitate transportation for those flying in to attend the conference and give participants a chance to get to know each other.
PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST BE REGISTERED FOR THE CONFERENCE TO GO ON THE MILLTOWN DAM TOUR.
Site experts to accompany tour:
• Doug Martin, Montana Department of Justice, NRD Program
• Russ Forba, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Jock Conyngham, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Peter Nielsen, Missoula City-County Health Department
7:00 Introduction & Welcome:
George M. Dennison, President University of Montana
Keynote address: Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary of the Interior
From Resource Damages to Restoration: An Evolution towards Partnerships
UC Theatre, University of Montana
Reception to follow at Clark Fork Coalition Offices
(Keynote and keynote reception are free and open to the public)
Tuesday, September 26
Castles Center, University of Montana School of Law
Morning sessions: National Perspectives on Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
8:30 Conference Introduction & Welcome:
E. Edwin Eck, Dean University of Montana School of Law
8:45 Overview of NRD law and policy
Introduction: Prof. Raymond Cross, University of Montana School of Law
• William H. Rodgers, Jr., William H. Stinson Professor of Environmental Law, University of Washington School of Law
9:45 Break
10:00 National trends and directions in NRD: Panel discussion with members of the Dept. of Interior’s Federal Advisory Committee on NRD Assessment and Restoration
Moderator: John Carlucci, Attorney, U.S. Department of the Interior Solicitor’s Office
• Lisa Gover, former Program Director, National Tribal Environmental Council Superfund Program
• Jon Mueller, Director of Litigation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Rob Ricker, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Thomas Jensen, Partner, Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal
Noon Lunch (provided)
Afternoon sessions: Focus on the Clark Fork River Basin NRD program
1:15 Overview of litigation history and current status, including Milltown Dam removal
• Mike McGrath, Montana Attorney General
2:15 Break
2:30 Panel discussion: Key issues in the Clark Fork River Basin
Moderator: Sarah Van de Wetering, Public Policy Research Institute
• Rob Collins, Supervising Assistant Attorney General, Montana Department of Justice, NRD Program
• John Wardell, Director, Montana Office, Environmental Protection Agency
• Joe Hovenkotter, Attorney, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
• Robin Bullock, Northwest Regional Manager, Remediation Management/Atlantic Richfield Co.
• Matt Clifford, Conservation Director/Staff Attorney, Clark Fork Coalition
• Jon Sesso, State Representative/Butte-Silver Bow Planning Department
• Kathy Hadley, Landowner, Upper Clark Fork River Basin
5:00 Conclusion of afternoon session
Reception to follow at Meloy Gallery
PARTV Building, University of Montana
Wednesday, September 27
Castles Center, University of Montana School of Law
Lessons Learned, National Implications
8:30 Implementation Challenges: National Issues and the Coeur d’Alene Experience
Moderator: Elizabeth Kronk, Assistant Professor, University of Montana School of Law
• Thomas C. Jensen, Partner, Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal
• Brian J. Cleary, Legal Counsel to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Funke & Work
• Phillip Cernera, Director, Lake Management Department, Coeur d'Alene Tribe
• Brian Spears, USFWS, Trustee Coeur d'Alene NRD Program
10:15 Break
10:30 Lessons from the Clark Fork River Basin
Moderator: Prof. Raymond Cross, University of Montana School of Law
• John Carlucci, U.S. Dept. of Interior, Solicitor’s Office
• Carol Fox, Montana Natural Resource Program Restoration Chief
• William H. Rodgers, Jr., University of Washington School of Law
12:30 Closing Remarks: Prof. Raymond Cross
Conference concludes
