U.S. Areas of Concern
Program Annual Meeting: Implementing Restoration Targets and Achieving On-The-Ground Results for the Great Lakes

October 1-2, 2009
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Overview
The annual meeting for the U.S. Areas of Concern (AOC) program will convene participants from the 30 U.S. AOCs to review recent developments affecting the program; discuss approaches for implementing delisting targets; build capacity to implement on-the-ground restoration actions; identify opportunities to address AOC restoration priorities under President Obama’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; improve linkages between the AOCs, Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) and other programs; and consider actions that will strengthen the regional U.S. AOC program.

Agenda
Agenda highlights include keynote remarks from Todd Ambs, Water Division Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and sessions on the following topics:

• Building Organizational Capacity to Implement Restoration Actions in the AOCs
• Partnerships to Build Capacity: Working with Consultants, Universities and Others
• Best Practices for Developing Strong “Shovel Ready” Habitat Restoration Proposals
• Using Social Media and Other Innovative Approaches for Communicating the RAP Process in Your Community
• Strategies for Implementing Delisting Targets, Developing Delisting Packages, and Communicating the Delisting Process in Your AOC
• Working with Business and Industry to Build Partnerships to Implement Contaminated Sediment Cleanups Under the Great Lakes Legacy Act

Who Should Attend
The conference is intended for all parties involved in efforts to restore the U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern, including members of local AOC groups, state and federal agency staff, LaMP participants, academic partners, consultants, and other interested parties.

Registration
The meeting registration fee is $65 and includes lunch on Thursday, breaks, and all conference materials. To register, complete the registration form and submit it to the Great Lakes Commission. The registration fee may be paid in advance or onsite at the meeting. The registration deadline is Friday, September 25!

State of Lake Michigan Conference
This year the AOC annual meeting is being held in conjunction with the 2009 State of Lake Michigan Conference, being held Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the same location. AOC meeting participants are encouraged to attend the SOLM conference which will feature sessions on Lake Michigan AOCs. In particular, meeting participants may be interested in attending the Sept. 30 field trip to the Great Lakes Legacy Act Kinnickinnic River Sediment Remediation site. Conference details, including registration and an agenda, are available online at aqua.wisc.edu/solm.

Travel Funding
Limited funding is available to support participation in the meeting for one individual from each U.S. and binational RAP group. RAP participants should contact the chair of their group for more information.

Lodging
Lodging is available at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where the meeting is being held. A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved under "State of Lake Michigan Conference" for Wednesday, Sept. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 1, at a rate of $99 per night plus tax. The reserved block will be released Sept. 15, after which rooms will be provided on a space-available basis. Call the hotel at 414-276-1234 to make your reservation by phone.

Dinner Cruise on the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan
Join us for a boat cruise down the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan along the Milwaukee waterfront. Dinner will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Transportation will be provided from the hotel to the cruise boat. A $45 fee will be charged for this optional event and advance registration is required.

Display Tables
Local RAP groups, watershed organizations, agencies, consultants and other parties involved in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern are encouraged to bring informational materials to share with meeting participants. Display tables will be provided upon request and time will be available before and after the meeting and during breaks to share information. Display tables can be requested on the meeting registration form for a fee of $25.

Sponsors
The meeting is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes National Program Office; the Great Lakes Commission; and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Contacts
For more information, contact Matt Doss, Great Lakes Commission, 734-971-9135, mdoss@glc.org.