2018 Colorado Nutrient Management Workshop
Colorado State University – Lory Student Center, Ballroom D
August 9, 2018
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
PURPOSE
The goal of the workshop was to discuss the CLEAN Center’s role in helping Colorado communities make progress towards nutrient targets. Desired outcomes of the meeting were to identify:
- Water quality data and information that should be managed by the CLEAN Center and provided to stakeholders across the state
- Analysis that should be conducted to help the state and Colorado stakeholders evaluate the effects of management actions including technologies, policies and regulations
- Effective mechanisms for communication of Center activities with Colorado stakeholders
- Broader audiences that should be engaged by the CLEAN Center
DESCRIPTION & ATTENDEES
The Center for Comprehensive, Optimal and Effective Abatement of Nutrients (CLEAN) was created to generate knowledge, build capacity, forge collaboration and demonstrate sustainable solutions for reduction of nutrient pollution in our nation’s water resources. The Colorado Nutrient Management Workshop was held at Colorado State University on August 9, 2018. Approximately 40 representatives from the stormwater, wastewater, agriculture, research, regulation and permitting sectors attended the meeting. The meeting was conducted to help the group identify next steps for the CLEAN Center and a clear path for communicating the success and activities of the Center. The workshop utilized small breakout groups, organized by sector, to facilitate rich conversation around the focus areas of the meeting. The day started with a brief introduction of the intended purpose of the workshop followed by an update on the prevailing approaches to water quality control in Colorado. The research team provided a brief review of the data and analysis tools developed by the CLEAN Center to enhance water quality control in the State. This session was followed by a breakout activity with guided small group discussion on potential tools, data and analyses that could assist stakeholders in different sectors improve the management of their systems. A follow-up discussion was then led on effective mechanisms to visualize outputs of these products and communicate them effectively to a variety of users. The day concluded with a discussion on approaches for engaging and communicating with the broader community.
SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS
The Center has generated valuable data and analysis tools but the communication and access to this information could be disseminated in a more coherent and credible manner. The assumptions of the tools and models lack transparency and the user-friendliness of the products could be improved. However, there is great potential for the CLEAN Center to continue its success by developing mechanisms to communicate more effectively and leverage support from its members to promote the Centers activities and products.
Date: Thursday August 9, 2018
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Colorado State University – Lory Student Center Ballroom D (#350D) 1101 Center Avenue Mall Fort Collins, CO 80523
Purpose: The goal of this meeting is to discuss the CLEAN Center’s role in helping Colorado communities make progress towards nutrient targets. Desired outcomes of the meeting are to identify:
- Water quality data and information that should be managed by the CLEAN Center and provided to all stakeholders across the state
- Analysis that should be conducted by CLEAN personnel to help the state and Colorado stakeholders evaluate the effects of management actions including technologies, policies and regulations
- Effective mechanisms (e.g. websites, workshops, reports) for communication of CLEAN activities with Colorado stakeholders
- Broader audiences that should be engaged by the CLEAN Center
AGENDA
The first morning session will provide a summary and demonstration of existing data and analysis tools developed by the CLEAN Center and its partners. The interactive sessions will elicit feedback from our advisory committees and partners. These sessions are designed to facilitate interactive conversations focused on the aforementioned outcomes, resulting in a clear path forward and direction for the CLEAN center.
9:00 am – 9:20 am – Introduction
- Welcome and brief introduction of the participants
9:20 am – 10:00 am – Water quality control in Colorado
During this session, we will discuss prevailing approaches to water quality control in Colorado. The emphasis will be on nutrients in water bodies.
- Prevailing nutrient targets, regulations, and rules (30 min)
- Q&A and discussion (10 min)
10:10 am – 11:00 am – Data & Analysis Tools
The CSU team in collaboration with stakeholders in various sectors have developed data and analysis tools to enhance water quality control in the State. A brief summary of some of these tools will be provided.
- Summary of existing data (20 min)
- Summary and demonstration of analysis tools (30 min)
11:10 am – 12:00 am – Priority analysis and questions
The purpose of this session is to identify priority analyses that may be conducted or questions that may be answered at the CSU One Water Solutions Institute to help stakeholders in different sectors improve the management of their systems. These analyses and questions may be related to a single sector (i.e. WWTPs, Agricultural, and urban stormwater) or to the watershed as a whole.
12:00 pm -1:00 pm – Lunch & Networking
1:00 pm -1:50 pm – Priority Data Analysis and Modeling Tools
The purpose of this session is to discuss data, modeling and analysis tools that should be the focus of the Center over the next 3-5 years. The discussion will identify specific tools, effective visualizations and approaches for reporting the outputs of the analyses, and training approaches for the use of the tools.
2:00 pm -2:50 pm – Communications strategies
The purpose of the session is to better understand the role of the Center in bringing stakeholders together and to facilitate a safe space for discussion about nutrient control in Colorado.
2:50 pm -3:00 pm – Concluding remarks and Wrap-up
Directions
The Lory Student Center (LSC) is located on the north side of Colorado State University campus and is easily accessed from the main Engineering parking lot (#310, see red start on map below) at the southern end of Meldrum Street. The meeting room, Ballroom D, is located on the west side of the LSC; 300-level.
- From I-25, use exit 269B (CO-14 West)
- Continue on CO-14 West ~5 miles
- Turn LEFT (South) onto Meldrum Street
- Follow Meldrum Street into CSU Engineering Parking Lot (#310)
- Park in the designated A-lot, parking passes will be provided on-site
Parking
Parking permits will be provided for the designated A-Permit lot in the main CSU Engineering Parking Lot (#310 see red star on map below) located at the southern end of Meldrum Street (see map below). Do NOT park in the paid parking stalls on the west side of the Engineering parking lot.
- Brock Hodgson will stand at the Meldrum entrance and provide a hang-tag for your vehicle until 9:10am. If you arrive after Brock has left please call Sarah Millonig at 608-692-8906 (mobile)
