Keynote Address
Bayou Vermilion Treasures – A Water Weekend
Visionary Water Symposium
May 9, 2010
Durga D. Poudel, Ph.D.
First Honorary Chair
Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association
Bayou Vermilion Treasures – A Water Weekend
Visionary Water Symposium
May 9, 2010
Durga D. Poudel, Ph.D.
First Honorary Chair
Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association
Thank
you. It is my pleasure to be here. As the first Honorary Chair of the Bayou
Vermilion Preservation Association’s Water Symposium, I am privileged and
honored to welcome you here. I am truly amazed by the various programs and activities
including the sunset cruise, scientific presentations, the middle and high
school student’s poster competition, panel discussions, symposium attendance, and
the media coverage of this event. The Bayou Vermilion Treasure- A Water Weekend
is an important event for us as it is dealing with the most critical issue of
the 21st Century – the issue of water quality and quantity.
We have huge challenges ahead in tackling both water quality and quantity issues, while producing food, fiber, and energy to meet the increasing demand from a rising global population. An event such as this becomes an example of how nicely local communities, universities, governmental organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders can come together and address the issue of water quality and quantity collaboratively.
Specific to the Vermilion River water quality, it is important for us to work together vigorously in improving surface water quality by controlling littering and reducing the load of nonpoint source pollutants such as sediments, nutrients, pathogens, and other contaminants into the river. As a “natural capital” a healthy river adds value to the local community as it will open up many opportunities including recreational use, provide water sources, support wildlife and propagation, and attract local business, thus generating employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy.
Another important issue of the 21st Century is climate change impacts, which is threatening our water resources. We have recently been experiencing extreme rain events, droughts, extreme weather, and flooding. It is critical for local communities and businesses to adapt to climate change impacts or build a climate resilient community for their sustainability. Restoration, preservation, and utilization of Vermilion River certainly enhance the resiliency of Lafayette community to climate change impacts.
It is important to develop Public-Private Partnerships for effectively handling the complex issues of water resource conservation, development, and utilization. An event like this brings various stakeholders including private businesses, local communities, governmental agencies, industries, universities, research institutions, and other stakeholders under the same roof and fosters collaborative partnerships for problem solving. This event certainly strengthens, reinforces, motivates, and helps in developing enthusiasm and commitment among us in restoring the health of the Vermilion/Teche watershed. And by working together, the Lafayette community will certainly be able to clean, restore, preserve, and utilize the Vermilion River more effectively and sustainably.
In closing, again I would like to thank everyone including the attendees, presenters, panelists, organizers, students, teachers, and government officials for coming here today. My special thanks go to the BVPA Officers including Mr. Charles H. Wyatt, the President; BVPA Board including Mrs. Jan Wyatt, Web Site Designer; and BVPA Advisory Board for conceptualizing, planning, and executing this event so smoothly and nicely. I am looking forward for the presentations, questions/answers, panel discussions, and the development of action plans for the restoration, preservation, and utilization of the Vermilion River during this Symposium.
Thank you very much.
We have huge challenges ahead in tackling both water quality and quantity issues, while producing food, fiber, and energy to meet the increasing demand from a rising global population. An event such as this becomes an example of how nicely local communities, universities, governmental organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders can come together and address the issue of water quality and quantity collaboratively.
Specific to the Vermilion River water quality, it is important for us to work together vigorously in improving surface water quality by controlling littering and reducing the load of nonpoint source pollutants such as sediments, nutrients, pathogens, and other contaminants into the river. As a “natural capital” a healthy river adds value to the local community as it will open up many opportunities including recreational use, provide water sources, support wildlife and propagation, and attract local business, thus generating employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy.
Another important issue of the 21st Century is climate change impacts, which is threatening our water resources. We have recently been experiencing extreme rain events, droughts, extreme weather, and flooding. It is critical for local communities and businesses to adapt to climate change impacts or build a climate resilient community for their sustainability. Restoration, preservation, and utilization of Vermilion River certainly enhance the resiliency of Lafayette community to climate change impacts.
It is important to develop Public-Private Partnerships for effectively handling the complex issues of water resource conservation, development, and utilization. An event like this brings various stakeholders including private businesses, local communities, governmental agencies, industries, universities, research institutions, and other stakeholders under the same roof and fosters collaborative partnerships for problem solving. This event certainly strengthens, reinforces, motivates, and helps in developing enthusiasm and commitment among us in restoring the health of the Vermilion/Teche watershed. And by working together, the Lafayette community will certainly be able to clean, restore, preserve, and utilize the Vermilion River more effectively and sustainably.
In closing, again I would like to thank everyone including the attendees, presenters, panelists, organizers, students, teachers, and government officials for coming here today. My special thanks go to the BVPA Officers including Mr. Charles H. Wyatt, the President; BVPA Board including Mrs. Jan Wyatt, Web Site Designer; and BVPA Advisory Board for conceptualizing, planning, and executing this event so smoothly and nicely. I am looking forward for the presentations, questions/answers, panel discussions, and the development of action plans for the restoration, preservation, and utilization of the Vermilion River during this Symposium.
Thank you very much.