Controversy!
Kip Mumaw, PE
Ecosystem Services
Charlottesville, VA
Nathan Staley, PE, CFM, LEED AP, ENV SP
Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
Gainesville, Virginia
Public scrutiny and opposition of stream restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed has increased significantly over the past decade and has, in some cases, caused the delay or abandonment of projects. Opponents of stream restoration focus on some common objections, including appropriate use of public funds, tree removal, impact to extant ecosystem health, and water quality improvement claims. Kip and Nathan will explore these objections, how projects can navigate these issues both before and after they have public opposition, the implications for restoration design and funding, and facilitate an open-forum discussion with the audience. The presenters will focus on how communication strategies can improve outcomes and provide the audience with real-world examples (though specific names and projects will be made anonymous) of challenges and solutions.
About Kip Mumaw, PE
Kip Mumaw is the Principal Engineer and cofounder of Ecosystem Services, a Natural Resources Consulting firm located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Kip received his Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Environmental and Water Resources. He is an alumnus of the North Carolina Stream Restoration Program and the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute. Kip has experience in public education and engagement for Ecosystem Services’ projects, as a volunteer, and as a facilitator for stream restoration projects around the State to assist in conflict resolution. His work seeks to promote understanding of ecological restoration and improve restoration outcomes.
About Nathan Staley, PE, CFM, LEED AP, ENV SP
Nathan Staley is a professional engineer with Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc., in their Southwest Virginia office. He has 17 years of experience with stream restoration and nature-based stormwater management, which is enough to learn that designing a stream or wetland is much easier than dealing with stakeholders. He strives to bring a passion for sustainability, ecology, education, and civility to every project.