The West Virginia University WV Water Research Institute will award $92,000 in grant money to faculty members at West Virginia institutions of higher education who submit winning proposals that address a range of water-related research priorities. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey.

WVWRI Director Paul Ziemkiewicz that his center is requesting proposals from faculty researchers interested in executing work related to:

• shale gas – energy production impacts on water resource and water quality/quantity concern for gas well hydrofracturing
• coal mining – valley fills and uses for mine water discharge
• aquatic ecosystem – flooding, aquatic ecosystem integrity, water metrics, water quality, environmental/in-stream flows and web content management systems
• urban development – industrial processes and urban sprawl, land use modifications, and inadequate infrastructure
• agriculture – agricultural impacts

Ziemkiewicz said that multi-year projects are encouraged. Under this program in previous years, WVWRI has been able to support between two and four research projects each in the range of approximately $15,000 – $25,000. Ziemkiewicz said he expects $92,000 to be available for new and continuing projects in 2012.
The closing date for submitting proposals under the program is Nov. 9.

Additional information about eligibility, cost share and how to apply is available on the WVWRI web site at www.wvwri.org.

WVWRI has been in existence since 1967 and has served as a statewide vehicle for performing research related to water issues. WVWRI is the premier water research center in West Virginia and, within selected fields, an international leader.

WVWRI serves as the coordinating body for the following programs: the National Mine Land Reclamation Center, Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative, Acid Drainage Technology Initiative, Combustion Byproducts Recycling Consortium, National Environmental Education Training Center, State Water Institutes, Geo-Technical Center, West Virginia Water Gaging Council, Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center, and Hydrology Research Center.

Under Federal legislation, the United States Geological Survey supports a Water Research Institute in each U.S. state and territory. WVWRI has been in existence since 1967 and serves as a statewide vehicle for performing research related to water issues.

-WVU-

gg/10/6/11

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