John Marburger III, President Bush's science adviser, will speak Thursday, April 17, at the annual Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference in Rapid City.

Marburger's keynote speech at 7:50 a.m. will begin the conference, at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The title of Marburger's speech is "Reflections on the Science and Policy of Energy and Climate Change," according to a news release.

He was confirmed by the Senate in October 2001 as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Marburger also is co-chairman of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology and supports the President's National Science and Technology Council.

Before his appointment in the Executive Office of the President, he served as director of Brookhaven National Laboratory from 1998 to 2001, and as the third president of the State University of New York at Stony Brook from 1980 to 1994.

Marburger is the highest-profile speaker to appear at the hydrology conference, now in its sixth year, according to Janet Carter of the U.S. Geological Survey office in Rapid City.

After Marburger's speech, keynote speaker Dr. Jose Alonso, director of the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory at Homestake, will outline plans and progress at the lab.

Carter said the hydrology conference usually draws about 200 people, but with registrations already at 200, she expects nearly 300 people this year.

The conference, in the Alpine/Ponderosa Room at the civic center, is open to the public and features topics dealing with water in western South Dakota.

The third keynote speaker will be Scott Kenner from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Kenner will speak about storm-water quality management in Rapid City.

In addition to the speakers, four technical sessions will include presentations about science management, water quality, flooding, surface water, ground water, uranium mining and a variety of other water-related topics. Additional details regarding the preliminary program are available from the conference Web site at sd.water.usgs.gov/WSDconf.

Professional registration fees are $75, and professional development hours will be coordinated through the South Dakota Engineering Society for technical sessions attended. Students and the general public can attend the sessions for free; an optional luncheon for students and the general public is $20.

All attendees, including students and the general public, are asked to register before April 14 by visiting the conference Web site or by contacting Carter at 605-394-3215 or jmcarter@usgs.gov for more information.

They may also register at the conference if there is room available.

The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Dakota Engineering Society, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and West Dakota Water Development District.

If you go:

What: Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference

When: Starting 7:50 a.m. Thursday, April 17.

Where: Alpine/Ponderosa Room at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

Keynote speakers:

John Marburger III, President George Bush's science adviser

Dr. Jose Alonso, director of the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory at Homestake; Scott Kenner from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology