THE CONGRESS . . . The water resources issues affecting the lives of the people living in the Caribbean and tropical countries are as diverse as their culture, history and politics. A major concern in one island may be that the lack of surface and ground water forces residents to use seawater desalination as the only source for satisfying potable water demands. Yet, a neighboring island might be interested in controlling flooding problems or the degradation of water quality produced by streams and rivers in steep watersheds. Additionally, some islands are of volcanic origin with mountainous terrain while others are of limestone origin with low relief and constantly in danger from ocean swells. With all their diversity, the islands do have many similarities. They all have distinct rainy seasons often punctuated with hurricanes; have national objectives that include preservation of coastal waters from land based contamination; have a need for waste water disposal with minimal environmental impact; and a need to better manage and conserve limited water resources. With all their peculiarities, how are the water resources policies in these countries responding to the accelerated changes taking place due to the globalization? How is the society preparing to deal with new water resources management that includes conservation, reuse, rehabilitation of water systems and increased costs of preserving and creating new infrastructure? These are some of the important issues to be addressed in this Congress.

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EXTENDED ABSTRACT PREPARATION . . . A pre-published, peer-reviewed, Conference Proceedings of papers accepted for oral and poster presentations will be produced. Four to five-page extended abstracts for individual oral presentations, organized panels, and poster presentations are sought on the topics or related topics listed below. Topics are listed only as a guide to potential presenters. Note also that reference should be made to the sample extended abstract while preparing abstract.

·       Watershed management

·       Infrastructure and water distribution

·       Erosion, sedimentation and geomorphology

·       Data availability

·       Extreme hydrologic events (floods/droughts, hurricanes)

·       Sustainable development of water resources

·       Desalination, water reuse, and other water-supply sources 
       (Caribbean and Tropical Islands experience)

·       Advances in water sanitation

·       Climate change impact in the Tropics/Caribbean
      (global changes, El Niño, La Niña)

·       Management of limited freshwater resources  
      (conservation, reuse, availability)

·       Water resources information and education
·       Surface and ground water quality
·       Social aspects and water issues: water 
       price,water use,etc.
·       Small community water supply and wastewater  
       systems
·       Undergraduate and graduate education
·       Rainwater harvesting – quantity and quality   
       issues

Individual abstracts should not exceed five pages and all information should be completed and included on the ‘Abstract Submittal Form.’ No abstract will be considered unless submitted on this form. If an organized panel or special session is being submitted, EACH AUTHOR must complete the ‘Abstract Submittal Form.’ Abstracts will be reviewed for originality, innovations, and relevance to the Congress theme. Acceptance notification will be made to the presenting author by AUGUST 31, 2007. Instructions on the preparation of manuscripts and deadlines for revisions and final paper submission will accompany the notification. Final camera-ready manuscripts must be received by SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. ALL PRESENTERS OF ORAL AND POSTER PAPERS AND PARTICIPANTS IN PANEL DISCUSSIONS MUST REGISTER FOR THE CONGRESS AND PAY THE APPROPRIATE REGISTRATION FEES. Participants will be responsible for paying their own travel expenses and registration fees for the Congress. Speakers do not receive a complimentary registration.

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EXTENDED ABSTRACT SUBMITTAL

Upload your extended abstracts to the Congress website at http://prwreri.uprm.edu/7CIWRC by AUGUST 15, 2007 . The electronic ‘Abstract Submittal Form’ is provided at the Congress website and should be completed together with the extended abstract submission. A sample extended abstract is also available at the Congress website.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:

          PR Water Resources and Environmental Research Institute

          P.O. Box 9040

          Mayagüez, PR 00681-9040

          Phone: (787) 832-4040 x3781 / Fax: (787) 833-3985

          Email: PRWRERI@uprm.edu

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Congress General Chair

Congress Technical Program Chair

HENRY H. SMITH

Virgin Islands Water Resources Research Institute

(340) 693-1062

Fax: (340) 693-1065

E-Mail : hsmith@uvi.edu

SANGCHUL HWANG

Department of Civil Engineering

University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

(787) 832-4040 x3454

Fax: (787) 832-8260

E-Mail: shwang@uprm.edu

Congress Co-Chairs

JORGE RIVERA-SANTOS

Puerto Rico Water Resources and Environmental Research Institute

UPR, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

(787) 832-4040 x3781

Fax: (787) 833-3985

E-Mail: PRWRERI@uprm.edu

PEDRO L. DIAZ

US Geological Survey

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

(787) 749-4346 x222

Fax: (787) 749-4301

Email: pldiaz@usgs.gov

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Originality - The abstract should deal with new concepts or novel applications of established concepts. It may describe substantial improvements of existing theories or present new data in support and extension of these theories. Comparative or supportive data should be included.

Quality - The adequacy of an abstract is considered indicative of the quality of the final paper and of the presentation. Authors should prepare their abstracts with care, paying attention to style, organization of the abstract, and accuracy of data presented.

Technical Content - Objectives and scope of the project should be stated. The conditions under which the data were obtained and the general procedures/methodology used should be presented. Conclusions should be drawn directly from the investigation.

Status of Project - The abstract should establish that the project is well-developed and should present data or results to support the hypothesis. Data should have been subjected to preliminary analysis, at a minimum. Preferences will be given to abstracts showing concrete results with practical applications.

Benefits and Significant- Actual benefits and widespread applications should be reported. What contributions has the project made towards improving water resources? Does the method described save time and money? Is it more accurate? Is it more effective? Is this an unusual case or typical of general applications?