The American Water Resources Association recently conducted its Fourth National Water Policy Dialogue in Washington, DC, 22 September 2008. Co-sponsors were the Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).
Attendees (invitation only) were congressional staffers, federal agency workers, NGO representatives, and other water experts.
Five conclusions were reached:
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There is an immediate need for an assessment of the nation's water resources to include the current status of the resource, the future needs for water, and identification of gaps in fulfilling these needs.
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The federal government, in cooperation with state agencies, needs to develop a national vision and overarching principles to guide water resources development activities supported by the federal government.
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There is increasing need for mechanisms that will better coordinate the water resources activities of federal agencies and among congressional committees. The absence of effective coordination is apparent in the conflicts and overlaps that exist in legislation, programs, and agency activities.
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The relationship among the federal government, states, and local communities is changing and must be addressed. The federal government's role in water resources, long seen to be a driving force, must be reevaluated in light of growing state attention and direction of water resource activities.
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Federal actions with respect to water resources must be taken in a watershed context where the underlying planning is conducted in partnership with state and local entities. [My two cents: don't forget ground water!]
These conclusions are discussed in more detail in the document (updated 9 December 2008):
Download Water Policy Dialogue - Final
Here is the press release: Download Awra-media-release-3dec2008-newswire
The conclusions beg for the creation of a White House Water Advisor (or Coordinator), who would have the authority to address the above items. In fact, the WHWA could morph into the head of a reinvented Water Resources Council.
"Nature is humanity's landlord and we have been getting a great deal on rent and utilities." -- R. Bruce Hull
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