North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose district covers the entire length of the St. Lawrence River in the U.S., will update attendees on her work to address issues of importance to the St. Lawrence River at the 27th Winter Environmental Conference.

Residents and public officials from the region and beyond will hear from scientists, experts, activists and educators about issues of importance to the health of the St. Lawrence River. Save The River will host its 27th Winter Environmental Conference Feb. 6 in Clayton. The conference is open to anyone.

Stefanik’s 21st Congressional District includes St. Lawrence, Franklin, Jefferson, Clinton, Essex, Fulton, Washington, Warren, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis and Saratoga counties.

Congresswoman Stefanik has been a vocal supporter of Plan 2014, the modern water levels plan for the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, and a co-sponsor of the recently enacted law banning microbeads in consumer products. In the fall she joined with several of her colleagues backing a resolution acknowledging climate change as a threat that should be combated.

“We are very pleased to have our Congresswoman speak to attendees at our 27th conference. Rep. Stefanik has, in a very short time, become a knowledgeable and thoughtful supporter of policies that are important to the health of the St. Lawrence River and the communities that rely on it,” Lee Willbanks, Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper and Save The River executive director said. “Speaking to this very informed and engaged audience will be an excellent way to continue the very productive dialogue she has with the river community.”

Additional speakers will provide updates on issues directly affecting the health of the St. Lawrence River and in which the River community has taken an active role.

Among them, Dr. Jeff Ridal, executive director of the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, will speak about Montreal’s sewage dump this past fall with his presentation: “The Flushgate Affair: Some Science Perspectives on a Smelly Issue.” Also speaking will be Dr. Daniel Macfarlane, Assistant Professor of Freshwater Policy at Western Michigan University, who will speak about Plan 2014, the long anticipated, but currently stalled, modern water levels management plan, proposed by the International Joint Commission in June 2014.

Save The River’s Winter Environmental Conference registration is $50 and includes coffee, lunch and a cocktail reception with light hor d’oevres. RSVP by Friday, Jan. 29 by calling 686-2010, or visiting www.savetheriver.org and downloading and submitting the registration form.