Introductions and meeting objectives were stated by Craig Vogt and Steve Garbaciak. Objectives included a presentation on WEDApedia, discussion of any needed changes to the Environmental Excellence Awards, hearing a status and call to action for WEDA TechNotes, discussion of a new initiative on how the dredging industry is contributing to resilience and sustainability, and identifying possible themes for next year's panel during the WEDA Summit in Las Vegas. The Environmental Commission began in the mid-90's as a start to encouraging more positive discussions of environmental issues associated with dredging, hopefully to contribute to relieving the logjam of delayed dredging projects. Craig Vogt listed a few of the Commission achievements: EC started the website through Texas AM; the goal has been to make WEDA the "go-to" resource for information about dredging. This has progressed through publications, webinars, courses (e.g., Dredging 101), meetings, and initiation of WEDA TechNotes. Annual panel discussions are conducted during each conference/summit on varying environmental topics. Environmental Excellence awards program was initiated in 2011. The commission has provided major contributions to WODA policy papers issued (e.g., Environmental Policy in 1998, Sustainable Dredging in 2012, and elements of climate change in 2016 and 2022.
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