EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman will deliver the keynote address at the Great Lakes Environmental Law Symposium at IIT Chicago-Kent on March 4

Susan Hedman, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 administrator, will deliver the keynote address at "Challenges Facing the Chicago Area Waterway System," a Great Lakes Environmental Law Symposium co-sponsored by IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and the Chicago Park District. The symposium will be held March 4 at the law school, 565 West Adams St., in Chicago. The program begins at noon. Dr. Hedman's remarks are scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m.

Susan Hedman was appointed by President Barack Obama to be EPA Region 5 Administrator on Earth Day 2010. Dr. Hedman directs the EPA's operations in the six-state Great Lakes region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as 35 federally recognized tribal governments. One of her most important roles is that of Manager of the Great Lakes National Program Office, which oversees restoration and protection of the largest freshwater system in the world. Millions of people depend upon the Great Lakes for drinking water and millions more recreate in and around the Great Lakes.

The environmental law symposium brings together a diverse group of experts on Great Lakes law and policy, including environmental specialists, law professors, state and federal regulators and nonprofit conservation organizations. Participants will discuss the likely outcome of the ongoing litigation related to the Asian carp, potential changes to disinfection requirements for the Chicago River and whether officials should pursue hydrologic separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds. A networking reception will follow the program.

In addition to IIT Chicago-Kent and the Chicago Park District, the symposium is also co-sponsored by the National Resources Defense Council and the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Registration is required. General admission is $20, $40 for those seeking CLE credit, and $5 for students with current ID. Admission for IIT Chicago-Kent alumni is $15 advance registration or $20 at the door.

Chicago-Kent College of Law is the law school of Illinois Institute of Technology, a private, Ph.D.-granting institution with programs in engineering, psychology, architecture, business, design and law. In the mid-1980s, Chicago-Kent established one of the first specialty programs in energy and environmental law, and has long been recognized as a leader in the field. The Chicago Environmental Law Clinic, launched in 1999, is a collaboration between the Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc., and Chicago-Kent that provides access to justice to clients who would otherwise be unrepresented in urban environmental matters that directly affect the health, safety and welfare of their families and communities.

Related News