Speaker: David S. Warne, Assistant Commissioner, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Supply

Title: “New York City’s Source Water Protection Program”

Abstract:Nearly 20 years ago, New York City embarked on an experiment to see whether source water protection was a viable alternative to filtration for its massive Catskill/Delaware watershed. The City designed and implemented a comprehensive program to address pollution sources at different temporal and spatial scales. Today that program is a model for a sustainable approach to water quality protection, with benefits for water consumers and down basin communities alike.

Bio: Mr. Warne was appointed Assistant Commissioner and Director of Watershed Protection Programs for DEP's Bureau of Water Supply in October 2006. In that role, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of DEP’s multifaceted watershed protection program. This includes all regulatory and non-regulatory programs. He has been with DEP since 1993, serving in a variety of roles within the Bureau of Water Supply.

Mr. Warne graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in English Literature and has an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Speaker: Christopher S. Crockett, Ph.D., P.E., is the Director of Planning & Research at the Philadelphia Water Department

Title: “Clean Cities, Green Waters: Philadelphia's Sustainable Approach to Addressing Stormwater Through Green Infrastructure”

Abstract: Managing stormwater in an urban environment can be difficult and expensive. However, with a new century comes new ideas and Philadelphia is the testing ground for many of the new approaches in green infrastructure to manage stormwater. The City of Philadelphia has committed $2 billion over the next 25 years to addressing the stormwater issue and it plans to use green infrastructure to not only manage stormwater but help transform the City and provide new economic opportunities.

Bio: Christopher S. Crockett, Ph.D., P.E., is the Director of Planning & Research at the Philadelphia Water Department. He oversees a staff of 30 that conducts infrastructure planning, asset management, water and wastewater applied treatment research, energy management, renewable energy projects, stormwater management plan reviews, stormwater rate credits, water quality studies, air emissions and land management, and regulatory compliance support for the Philadelphia Water Department. Chris has over 16 years of experience in the water, stormwater, and wastewater industry participating and leading innovative projects to improve customer service, performance, revenue, and regulatory compliance. He has been responsible for stormwater and CSO compliance and managed teams to accomplish green infrastructure and watershed management approaches. Some accomplishments include leading the source water protection programs, development and implementation of new stormwater management requirements for development and studies of impervious cover based stormwater billing for non-residential customers. Under Chris' leadership, his teams have won numerous local, state, and federal awards. He has also been involved in several national and worldwide groundbreaking environmental projects using information technology for early warning systems for drinking water supplies and public notification for recreation. His current focus is on energy management including biomethane and renewable resources and asset management.

Speaker: Matthew P. Lyons, Esq., Mayor, Washington Township, New Jersey

Title: “Ground Water Protection at the Local Level”

Abstract: The suburban community of Washington Township depends on ground water for its public water supply. Through the last three decades, the Township experienced exceptional growth and transition from a rural community to the largest municipality in Gloucester County. The Township enacted a Wellhead Protection Ordinance in 2002 to reduce ground water contamination risks from development. Mr. Lyons will describe how the ordinance has been used to guide land use in sensitive recharge areas.

Bio: Since 2009, Matthew P. Lyons has been Mayor of the Township of Washington, the largest community in Gloucester County, New Jersey. As a former President of the Township Council, Mr. Lyons created the Open Space Preservation Fund to enable the Township to acquire and protect remaining farmland and undeveloped tracts, passed a landmark law that significantly reduced the pace of development in the Township, and voted to enact the state’s toughest drinking water protection law. Mr. Lyons is a lifelong Township resident, and continues to serve as a volunteer coach for the Parks and Recreation program. He is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law.