by Jared Trost, MGWA White Paper Committee Chair
White Paper Committee
The MGWA White Paper Committee is a group of four to five MGWA members that guide the development and publication of White Papers and communicate progress to the MGWA membership and the MGWA Board. The current white paper committee members are Carrie Jennings, David Crisman, Jared Trost, Rebecca Higgins, and Jim Lundy. Carrie, David, Jared, and Rebecca are cycling off this year. We are pleased to announce that three extremely well-qualified individuals have volunteered to serve on the committee to replace those who are cycling off. The new Committee members are Mark Ferrey (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency), Justin Blum (recently retired from Minnesota Department of Health, and Tim Cowdery (recently retired from the U.S. Geological Survey).
Going forward, we have implemented 3-year staggered terms for Committee members. In year one of a term, a Committee member learns about the white paper process and selects one or two likely white paper topics. In year two, a Committee member develops a scoping document for one topic, launches the white paper, and forms a working group. In year three, a Committee member guides the working group through the white paper process and publishes a white paper. The Committee meets at least quarterly (ideally in person), though the Committee member(s) actively guiding a white paper in year three of their term will have additional meetings with their working group.
How to get involved in a White Paper
There are a few ways that MGWA members can get involved in the white paper process. First, at any time members can nominate a white paper topic for consideration for a future white paper by the white paper committee. Second, members can volunteer to serve on a white paper working group and do the work of assembling a white paper (12-18 month commitment). Third, members can volunteer to serve on the White Paper Committee to guide white paper development (~3 year commitment).
Current White Paper in Development
We currently have an excellent group of volunteers working on a white paper about groundwater data. As part of this effort, the working group is developing a survey to better understand which groundwater data are being used, how the data are being used, where gaps exist, and where improvements could be made. The digital survey will be distributed to all members of MGWA and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Thanks in advance for participating!
What is a White Paper?
MGWA defines a white paper as an article that gives an unbiased evaluation and treatment of a topic for informational and educational purposes. Ideally, a paper will positively influence future quantity or quality of Minnesota’s groundwater resources, interrelated resources, and their users. Typically, a white paper presents the technical aspects for the evaluation in summary form, but includes references to sources of more detailed information. For questions regarding MGWA white papers, contact Jared Trost (jtrost@usgs.gov) or Jim Lundy (peatmoss2012@gmail.com).
MGWA is committed to developing a just, equitable, and inclusive groundwater community. Click on the button below to read MGWA’s full diversity statement.
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