Central Mississippi prosecutor to open water resources meeting

Contact: Sammy McDavid

The federal prosecutor who led in convicting a South Mississippi company for illegally dumping slaughterhouse waste will be keynote speaker for the 33rd Mississippi Water Resources Conference in Raymond.

Jeremy Korzenik is among more than 150 participants and a range of speakers scheduled to gather April 23 and 24 at Hinds Community College's Eagle Ridge Conference Center.

Senior trial attorney since 1991 in the United States Justice Department's Environmental Trial Section, Korzenik headed the 2000 case against Central Industries Inc. of Forest. Titled "Criminal Enforcement of the Environmental Crimes Act," his presentation begins at 9 a.m. on the 23rd in the center's auditorium.

Among other first-day speakers will be Russell Beard of the National Coastal Data Development Center at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. His 10:30 a.m. address deals with homeland security as it relates to the center, an arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The 2003 conference concludes with a noon luncheon address on the 24th by State Rep. Jim Ellington of Jackson, chairman of the House of Representatives' Conservation and Water Resources Committee. Ellington is an MSU graduate and a licensed professional engineer.

Organized each spring by the Mississippi State University-based Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, the conference traditionally involves government and education professionals, students, and interested citizens. In addition to the institute, the meeting is co-sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey's Mississippi District Office; Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's offices of Land and Water Resources and of Pollution Control; and Mississippi Water Resources Association.

Operators of water supply and wastewater treatment facilities may receive continuing education credit for their participation in the programs.

To obtain registration information or the complete schedule of speakers, contact conference coordinator Patricia M. Wilson at (662) 325-7642 or pmac@wrri.msstate.edu.