Dzombak to Chair New National Research Committee
Faced with water resource challenges ranging from the loss of coastal wetlands to aging infrastructure, the National Resource Council has named Carnegie Mellon University's David Dzombak as chair of its U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Water Resources Science, Engineering, and Planning Committee.
At their first meeting, members discussed a number of emerging water
resource challenges for the nation—including coastal restoration and
management; aging locks and dams; protection of high-risk flood areas
like New Orleans; and the overall implications of climate change.
"We will be developing an overview of emerging water resource
challenges for the nation as our first task," said Dzombak, the Walter
J. Blenko Sr. Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at
Carnegie Mellon and faculty director of the Steinbrenner Institute for
Environmental Education and Research.
In addition to working with the Corps, the committee will work with
experts and representatives from other federal agencies, including U.S.
congressional staffers, state governments and the private sector.
"The water resource challenges confronting the nation are very complex,
and involve scientific, financial, political and social aspects,"
Dzombak explained.
"The importance and complexity of water resource challenges speaks to
the need for broadly educated, analytical professionals and citizens
who understand the science involved, the options for society, the
implications of these options for the present and future, and the need
for carefully conceived solutions."
He added, "Carnegie Mellon aims to educate people with such broad skills and perspectives."
For more than two decades, Dzombak has conducted leading-edge research
in the areas of aquatic chemistry, water quality engineering, abandoned
mine drainage remediation, river and watershed restoration, and
contaminated site remediation. He also has contributed to the expertise
and professional service at the local, state and national levels.