Institute educates environmental professionals
More than 100 attendees from over 30 states gathered in Morgantown, West Virginia, August 5 to 9, to participate in the 2002 Environmental Training Institute for Small Communities. Sponsored by the National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC), this third annual training Institute for environmental professionals and local officials who work in small communities was a resounding success.

“The Institute has proved to be a tremendous opportunity for professionals who assist communities with environmental infrastructure to come together and share their experiences,” said John Hoornbeek, NETCSC director. “The result of this Institute will be improved assistance to small communities nationwide, with the long-term result being improved environmental management and public health at the local level.”

The week-long training event allowed participants the opportunity to attend workshops in four different training tracks, go on field trips to local environmental facilities, network with colleagues, interact with national experts in the environmental training field, and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery of West Virginia.
Course offerings included:

Drinking Water Track:

• Preparing for the Unexpected: Security for Small Drinking Water Systems
• Building the Technical Capacity of a Small Drinking Water System
• Local Officials’ Responsibilities for Providing Safe Drinking Water
• Financial Management for Small Drinking Water Systems
• Building the Managerial Capacity of
  a Small Drinking Water System
  

Wastewater Track:

• Assessing Wastewater Options
  for Small Communities
• Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Technologies
• Emerging Perspectives on Decentralized Wastewater Management
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour
• Alternative Onsite Wastewater Systems/Unique Drinking Water System in a Remote Area Tour

Infrastructure Track:

• Water and Wastewater Cost Recovery Principles
• “Small Community Needs in an Era
  of Change” Panel Discussion
• Regulatory Update: Recent and Upcoming Requirements for Small Communities
• GASB 34: Implications for Small Community Local Officials and Managers
• Capital Improvements Planning for Water and Wastewater Systems

Training Assistance Track:

• Implementing Proactive Technical Assistance in the 21st Century
• GASB 34 for Trainers and Assistance Providers
• Training and Presentation Skills
  to Reach Adult Learners
• Model Environmental Training Programs that Reach Local Officials

The 2002 Institute also featured an Exhibit Hall where NETCSC, Institute co-sponsors, and other agencies from around the country showcased the products, services, publications, and resources they provide related to small community environmental infrastructure.

Additional highlights of the Institute included “An Evening with Exhibitors” reception that allowed attendees to mingle with one another and view exhibitors’ displays, a networking luncheon where participants were greeted by West Virginia University President David Hardesty, an evening cookout at Coopers Rock State Forest, and exhibitor demonstrations and resource presentations.

For more highlights and photos of the 2002 Institute and information about the 2003 Institute as it becomes available, visit NETCSC’s Web site at www.netc.wvu.edu.