Conference and Exhibition Information

Introduction

Financing infrastructure and technology, a challenge in normal times, has become even more difficult for irrigation water supply providers as a result of the recent tightening of the credit markets. Irrigation districts, and other water providers, face a continuing need to upgrade technology and infrastructure even in these tight credit markets that complicate financing. Response to droughts, climate change and increased scrutiny of water management practices continues to drive upgrading of irrigation infrastructure and technology.

In response to these challenges, irrigation districts are developing innovative financing and funding solutions. These include developing partnerships with other agencies, applying for grants, loans and other sources of financial assistance, along with consideration of rate increases. Some are entering into agreements to transfer water. Others are agreeing to share facilities. Some districts are utilizing wastewater for irrigation or recharge. Irrigation districts and other agencies are using these and other strategies to maintain and upgrade the services they provide in these challenging financial times.

The Conference will provide an excellent forum for irrigation district staff, water agency staff, irrigation and drainage specialists, consultants and academics to share innovative solutions and learn from each other’s experiences. The Conference will bring together many water resources professionals with experience and interest in technical, management, financing and policy issues related to upgrading technology and infrastructure. Conference Topics and Sub-Topics are listed on the following page.

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Who Should Attend?

Conference attendees will include water resources professionals, irrigation district managers, growers, government agency managers and staff, consultants and academicians from the U.S. and overseas.

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Conference Format and Program

The Conference will begin with a Tuesday morning field tour to the Freeport Regional Water Project Intake Facility. Wells Fargo executive Michael J. Engelbrecht, will deliver the opening keynote address during lunch at the Conference hotel. The Tuesday afternoon Plenary Session will feature keynote presentations on the six Conference Topics:

• Urban/Ag Partnerships — Brian J. Brady, General Manager, Imperial Irrigation District
• Innovative Technologies — Charles M. Burt, Chairman, Irrigation Training and Research Center
• Upgrading Infrastructure — David Downie, General Manager, Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment, Office of Water
• Finance and Economics — Rick L. Gold, CDM, and former Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation
• Water and Energy Supply — Steven C. Macaulay, West Yost Associates, and former Chief Deputy Director, California Department of Water Resources
• Water Planning — Mike Wade, Executive Director, Agricultural Water Management Council, and Executive Director, California Farm Water Coalition

Concurrent sessions on Wednesday and Thursday morning will feature the presentation of papers on the Conference topics. Additional papers will be presented during the Poster Session, which will be held during continental breakfast and breaks on Thursday. A closing plenary session will include two keynote presentations and a Panel Discussion — The Future of Water Resources Development.

Roger K. Patterson of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California will be the featured speaker during the dinner on Wednesday evening. The Thursday lunch speaker will be Heather Cooley of the Pacific Institute.

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Exhibition and Sponsorships

An Exhibition will begin with a reception on Tuesday evening and Wednesday, March 23 and 24. To maximize opportunities for exhibitors to meet with the Conference participants, several functions will take place in the exhibition hall, including the opening reception on Tuesday evening, and continental breakfast, buffet lunch and coffee breaks on Wednesday.

The Tuesday Plenary Session will conclude with Meet the Exhibitors, providing an opportunity for exhibitors to give a brief summary of their products and services to Conference participants. The welcome reception in the exhibit hall will immediately follow the Meet the Exhibitors Session.

Several organizations and companies will support USCID by sponsoring Conference activities and products.

Exhibition and Sponsorship Information.

Conference Exhibitors are listed below. Additional Exhibitors will be listed as they reserve their space.

Conference Sponsors are listed below. Additional Sponsors will be listed as they reserve their space.

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Continuing Education Units

CEUs offered through Colorado State University will be available for participants of the Conference. Information will be available at the Conference.

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Hotel

The Conference will be held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA 95815 916-922-4700. Located in Sacramento’s Point West area, close to shopping, restaurants and local attractions, the recently renovated hotel includes a fitness center, expanded concierge lounge and the Harvard Street Grille. The rate for Conference participants is $114 single/$124 double, plus tax. To make reservations, call the Hilton at 800-344-4321 and ask for the special USCID rate. The room block at this rate is guaranteed only through February 17, 2010. Reservations made after February 17 will be on a space available basis.

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Field Tours

Tuesday, March 23

The Tuesday field trip will feature a tour of the recently completed Freeport Regional Water Project Intake Facility, located on the Sacramento River south of Sacramento. The Project is a joint venture of the Sacramento County Water Agency and East Bay Municipal Utility District. The 232-foot-long structure includes state-of-the art fish screen panels with an automated screen-cleaning system. Eight vertical turbine pumps have a combined capacity of 185 million gallons per day. The pump station forebay design includes dual chambers, sediment collection systems and sediment transfer pumps and piping. The project required significant levee modifications, including a new slurry cutoff wall. A 17-mile-long pipeline conveys water to a new Sacramento County water treatment plant and to the East Bay region.

The tour will leave the hotel at 8:00 a.m. and return by 11:30 a.m.

Friday, March 26

The Friday field trip will first travel to a flood control levee on the Feather River north of Sacramento, with a presentation by the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority. The tour will then proceed to an irrigation diversion structure, canal and fish screen on the Yuba River, with presentations by the Cordua Irrigation District and the Yuba County Water Agency. Following lunch at the New Bullards Bar Dam picnic area, the tour will proceed to the Colgate Power Plant, deep in the Yuba River Canyon about five miles below the Dam. The power plant is powered by two 18-foot-diameter Pelton wheels, the largest of their kind ever built.

The tour will begin at 8:00 and return to the hotel by 5:00 p.m., with a stop at the Sacramento airport for those with evening flights.

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Guest Program

The Guest Registration Fee of $180 includes the reception on Tuesday evening, continental breakfasts on Wednesday and Thursday, reception and dinner on Wednesday, the Tuesday field tour and the Friday field tour with lunch. Information on optional guest activities, such as city tours and other excursions will be available at the USCID Registration Desk in Sacramento.

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Registration

In addition to the Conference Technical Sessions, Poster Session and Exhibition, the Participant Registration Fee includes the field tours on Tuesday morning and Friday. Also included are lunches on Tuesday through Friday; reception on Tuesday; reception and dinner on Wednesday; continental breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday; and the Proceedings.

To receive the Early Registration Rate, you must register by March 12. The Late Registration Fee applies to registrations received after March 12 and on-site registrations. The Registration Fee can be pre-paid by check or credit card (VISA/MasterCard) or purchase order. Reduced registration fees are offered to USCID Members and to authors. Online Registration

Cancellation Policy: To receive a refund, USCID must receive notice of cancellation by the end of business on March 19. All refunds are subject to a $25 processing fee. After March 19, the registration fee is not refundable, but substitutions are acceptable.

Please note: USCID will not waive the Conference registration fee, nor provide funding or scholarships for participants to attend the Conference. USCID will not seek funding from donors or other sources for participants.

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Conference Planning Committee

Bryan Thoreson, General Chairman, Davids Engineering, Inc., Davis, California

James E. Ayars, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Parlier, California

Khaled Bali, University of California, Davis, Holtville, California

David E. Bradshaw, Imperial Irrigation District, Imperial, California

Robert H. Edwards, Bureau of Reclamation, Galt, California

Ali M. Elhassan, Robertson-Bryan, Inc., Elk Grove, California

Kent Frame, California Department of Water Resources, Sacramento, California

Todd L. Hillaire, California Department of Water Resources, Red Bluff, California

Ramesh S. Kanwar, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa

Steven R. Knell, Oakdale Irrigation District, Oakdale, California

Mark Leu, CH2M Hill, Sacramento, California

Steven C. Macaulay, West Yost Associates, Davis, California

Gary P. Merkley, Utah State University, Logan, Utah

W. Martin Roche, Consulting Engineer, Grass Valley, California

Gary Rossi de Guevara, Advanced Drainage Systems, Santa Rosa, California

Neil W. Schild, MWH Americas, Inc., Sacramento, California

Laura A. Schroeder, Schroeder Law Offices, PC, Portland, Oregon

Kenneth A. Steele, Consultant, Stockton, California

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