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As I meet with governors throughout the West, I learn that they value the Western Governors’ Association largely because of its role in bringing them together for candid conversations about common concerns and creative solutions. They have a great deal to share and learn from one another.

While Governor John Kitzhaber of Oregon would confess that there is much for him to learn from his colleagues, he may well have more to teach than anyone. Elected in 2010 to succeed Governor Ted Kulongoski, this is not the governor’s first rodeo.  Currently serving as Oregon’s 37th governor, he also served as the state’s 35th chief executive from 1995 to 2003. When he won his (non-consecutive) third term three years ago he became the first person to be elected to the office three times.

During a recent visit in Portland with the governor, who formerly worked as a practicing physician, I learned much about his active involvement in WGA during his first tour. He observed that the association operates best when it steers away from ideologically divisive issues and focuses more narrowly on policies broadly embraced by the Western Governors on a bipartisan basis.

Over lunch at Higgins Restaurant -- which serves wonderful food grown in the Willamette Valley -- I learned something else about Governor Kitzhaber.  He graduated from the same high school that my daughter currently attends: South Eugene (Ore.) High.  Armed with this information, I’m even more confident telling my kid that she can grow up to be governor.

James Ogsbury is the Executive Director of the Western Governors’ Association. Contact him at 303-623-9378 or at   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Newly appointed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and B.P. Capital Management founder T. Boone Pickens won't be the only ones creating star power during the Western Governors' Association annual meeting June 28-30 at the Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.

The weekend’s activities also will include some Hollywood sizzle, thanks to a sneak preview for ALL attendees of the new Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films' movie The Lone Ranger, which doesn't open in theaters until July 3. The movie features rising star Armie Hammer as the Masked Man and superstar Johnny Depp as his sidekick Tonto.

We're not showing the movie because it's about the Old West -- although

Oklahoma native Blake Shelton headlined an all-star cast of performers at the "Healing in the Heartland" benefit concert on Wednesday (May 29) in Oklahoma City.

The event in the sold-out Chesapeake Energy Arena, televised live on NBC, had raised more than $3.5 million by late Wednesday for the United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Performers included Shelton's wife Miranda Lambert, as well as country star Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker and Usher, Shelton's fellow judge on The Voice.

Learn more about ongoing recovery efforts in Moore and elsewhere at OKStrong.

Those interested in supporting the victims for the May 20 tornado can visit this page.

OKNews offered photos and reporting from inside the show.

Here's where to find a gallery of photos from the event.

"On the southern Great Plains ... landowners are caught up in a struggle: to keep the Lesser Prairie Chicken off the federal endangered species list."

That's the gist of a story written by April Reese of E&E about the use of "Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances" and other efforts designed to keep the federal government from declaring the animal endangered.

Getting landowners on board with voluntary conservation agreements is crucial to persuading the Fish and Wildlife Service to forego listing the Lesser Prairie Chicken. "We've been hustling to get as many as we can," the story quotes Jeff Bonner, a technical guidance biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

In January, the WGA released a statement from the Governors of five Western states on the federal proposal to list the Lesser Prairie Chicken as a threatened species. Governors signing the document were John Hickenlooper (Colo.), Sam Brownback (Kan.), Susana Martinez (N.M.), Mary Fallin (Okla.), and Rick Perry (Texas). In brief, the statement said:

"Our states have worked to develop state conservation plans to improve habitat for the species while also taking into account economic development needs. Collectively, our agencies released a GIS mapping tool (the Southern Great Plains Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool) that identifies the highest priority areas for targeted species conservation. This tool has facilitated our agencies' work together, and with land and mineral owners, to develop a range-wide conservation strategy to ensure that a listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken is not warranted."

The work is urgent: The story notes FWS is expected to decide on whether to list the lesser prairie chicken by the end of September.

 

 

Governors of the West faced decisions on a variety of issues in may, including health, energy, water and much more. Here's a sampling of what happened in all the states and flag territories of the Western Governors' Association.

WATER

Living on Borrowed Water: This story from High Country News illustrates how a flexible piece of 2003 Colorado water law helps ranchers and water districts temporarily lease water to the state to help keep rivers flowing.

Planning ahead: California Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order to streamline approvals for voluntary water transfers to assist state agriculture.

ENERGY

Energy Vision: Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead rolled out "Leading the Charge: Wyoming's Action Plan for Energy, Environment and Economy.

The profile of Western Governors is on the rise and their voice gaining strength on Capitol Hill.

An upcoming illustration is set for Tuesday (May 21), when Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Chairman of the Western Governors’ Association, testifies before the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation about "Perspectives on the Management of Federal and State Land." The hearing starts at 10:30 a.m. EDT. More information.

Here are other recent examples of WGA’s policy traction in Washington:

On May 16, I testified on the topic of Invasive Species at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation. My testimony.

Despite significant precipitation in much of the West this spring, drought continues to post a threat.That was the word today (May 16) at the Summer 2013 National Drought Outlook Forum on Capitol Hill. According to the forecast:

Extreme to exceptional drought continues to pose a threat to the agricultural community in the central U.S.

Exceptional drought now covers 44% of the state of New Mexico, where significant drought impacts have been observed.

Invasive species remain a growing threat in the West. In California alone, more than 1,000 non-native species have been identified. 

WGA Executive Director James Ogsbury addressed the challenges presented by invasive species and suggested a path to dealing with the issue during testimony Thursday (May 16) at an oversight hearing of the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation, which included (shown above) Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo).

Some of the major issues Ogsbury addressed on the behalf of western governors:

The Western Governors' Association (WGA) delivered a letter today expressing "alarm" about implementation of the "budget sequester," which has seen federal agencies request the return of substantial funds already allocated to the states under the Mineral Leasing Act and Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS).

In addition to seeking return of the funds, which were distributed in Fiscal Year 2012, one of the agencies plans to assess interest, penalties and administrative costs on the sequestration amounts if states do not remit payment.

The letter was sent to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Office and Management and Budget Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell. It received media coverage in the Idaho Statesman, Casper Star Tribune and the Oregonian in Portland. In addition, E&E reported on the letter and posted it on its websiite.

It's time to register for the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Western Governors' Association June 28-30 at the beautiful Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.

We're excited to announce that newly appointed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has agreed to attend and will take part in a panel examining ways to align state and federal resources to improve health and management of public lands.

The keynote speaker will be T. Boone Pickens, the Chairman of BP Capital Management. In addition to building one of the largest independent oil companies in the United States, Pickens is a compelling speaker on the future of energy.

Attendees will hear from Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert, WGA Chairman, and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, WGA Vice Chairman, as well as other Western governors and Western Canadian premiers.

A variety of Plenary Sessions are planned on issues such as Healthcare, Education, Endangered Species, Energy and Public Lands.

Much more is in the works. Once you register, you'll continue to receive periodic updates on the agenda and activities.

Hotels in the Park City area are beginning to fill, so register NOW to secure your room. 

The reduced fee for early registration ends May 31; online registration continues to June 21. On-site registration will be available as well. Register online.

The Western Governors' Association is an independent, non-partisan organization of Governors from 19 Western states, two Pacific-flag territories and one commonwealth. Follow us on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook.

Better management of national forest land is a top priority for Western governors.

In fact, the Western Governors’ Association recently sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack requesting increased attention for environmentally stressed national forest land and use of the private sector to reduce epidemics such as pine beetle infestations and wildfires.

Which is why we attended the May 2 hearing “Seeking State Solutions: Forest Health, Wildfires, and Habitat Protection” hosted by the Congressional Western Caucus in Denver. Co-Chairmen Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) were joined by the Colorado Members of the Caucus: Mike Coffman (R), Cory Gardner (R), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), and Scott Tipton (R-CO). (Rep. Lummis spent time with WGA's Jim Ogsbury before the event, right.)

Witnesses included Gale Norton, Former Secretary of the Interior, and Mike King, Executive Director of Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Read the complete testimony. Here's a sampling of what they had to say:

State municipal leagues have more than a little in common with the Western Governors' Association. They are non-profit, non-partisan associations of local government officials and, like WGA, they promote public policy positions and provide services to facilitate the management of government.

So I was pleased to speak to the board of the Colorado Municipal League (CML) in Denver at the invitation of Executive Director Sam Mamet. Sam, who has dedicated his professional life to municipal public service, has been with CML since 1979.

My remarks focused on the reorganization of WGA, specific policy issues in which our Governors are interested, and the opportunities for state and local officials to leverage their collective political influence to make things happen. Taking advantage of such opportunities is more important than ever, now that “gridlock” describes the new normal in Washington, D.C.

The lively discussion at CML reflected a mutual interest in working together more closely on issues of mutual concern, such as infrastructure development and water availability. This conversation will be continued when I speak on May 24 in Flagstaff, Ariz., at the Western Interstate Region Conference of the National Association of Counties.

James Ogsbury is the Executive Director of the Western Governors’ Association. Contact him at 303-623-9378 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Here's a quick look at some of the news that happened during April in the Western states that comprise the Western Governors' Association.

Economic development and jobs

Gov. Matt Mead Ready for Cowboy Tough Adventure This Summer: The first ever Cowboy Tough Adventure Race (July 18-21) will wend its way over several hundred miles highlighting adventure opportunities in Wyoming.

Gov. Otter signs bill to reign in drone use by law enforcement: Idaho Gov. Butch Otter (in photo at right) has signed a law that creates stricter guidelines for when police and other public agencies can deploy drones, Reuters reported.

Governor Looks to Develop Tourism, Growth Along Kansas River: Gov. Sam Brownback announced an 18-member committee, the Kansas River Development Committee, to spur recreational use and get more people to visit the river.

Gov. Bullock announces Resource for Entrepreneurs, Innovative Businesses: Gov. Steve Bullock and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development have relaunched Innovate Montana, a public-private partnership that connects Montana entrepreneurs and businesses across the state with economic development and networking resources.

This week's busy schedule included WGA's first sponsor luncheon of the year, hosted by Wyoming Governor Matt Mead at the Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne.

I was able to share with our sponsors and the governor just how busy we've been at WGA. In the previous week alone, we:

Testified before Congress, requesting a directive to federal land management agencies to use state wildlife data and analysis. (Read the testimony)

Met with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to discuss a new model for the state-federal relationship, one involving an authentic partnership, as opposed to the federal government telling the states what to do and how to do it;

Don't let the recent stormy weather across the Midwest and the Rocky Mountains fool you -- drought remains a significant issue for Western states.

The Western Governors' Association recognizes that and has worked to raise awareness about key bills in Congress that can help western states prepare for drought (and flooding), as well as offering information on the latest conditions.

One of the ways WGA accomplishes the latter is through Climate Impacts and Outlook, a quarterly publication that was developed by the WGA and National Oceanic & Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) after the organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011.(Read the latest report.)

UPDATE (MAY 8): The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to move four bills on hydropower, supported by the Western Governors' Association, out of committee. "It’s encouraging to see senators from both sides of the aisle coming together to work on bipartisan energy legislation," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The bills now move to the Senate floor. Learn more. Read the story in E&E.

Did you know hydropower is the United States' largest source of renewable electricity, producing some 100,000 megawatts, or 7% of the nation's electricity needs? It's also a fact that the potential exists to develop an additional 60,000 megawatts.

Even though I was born in Arizona and now call Denver home, I spent nearly 20 years working in Washington, D.C. That time included a stint as staff director for the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. 

So it felt familiar to be in Washington on Wednesday (April 17) to deliver testimony on behalf of WGA before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.

UPDATE: Rough & Ready Lumber, the last sawmill in southwest Oregon's Josephine County, has closed, a grim milestone in the persistent stalemate over logging federal land. Read more.

APRIL 16: The Western Governors’ Association delivered a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack today (April 16, 2013) requesting increased attention on environmentally stressed national forest land and inclusion of the private sector in efforts to reduce epidemics such as pine beetle infestations and wildfires. Read the letter: 

Out West, we know the value of water. We also know what a precious, scarce commodity it can be.

"Water Transfers" have been one way that Westerners have dealt with that scarcity. A Water Transfer happens when someone who has been previously allocated water decides to sell or lease it to those in need of water. These types of voluntary transfers have occurred for many years, but with the increased demand for water in the West, it's important to evaluate how we best use transfers.

Carlee Brown, a Policy Manager at Western Governors' Association, recently made a presentation on Water Transfers at the 31st annual Southwestern Water Conservation District seminar in Durango, Colo. Read a story about Carlee's talk by reporter Dale Rodebaugh of the Durango Herald.

Want to learn more about Water Transfers? Read Innovative Water Transfers report produced by WGA and the Western States Water Council.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NOTEBOOK: By James Ogsbury

Water has long been a signature issue for Western states. Given last year’s drought and projections that this year will continue the trend, water remains a top priority.

DENVER -- Western Governors sent letters to Congress today supporting the accelerated deployment of renewable energy projects on federal lands and calling for sharing of renewable energy royalty revenues with impacted states and counties.

DENVER -- Drought conditions remain in much of the West, but improvement is likely for Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, according to the most recent Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook.

 

Leaders in the water and energy sectors will convene in Denver on April 2 to identify growing needs and potential for collaboration during a workshop on the energy-water nexus.Registration is now open to the public at the Western States Water Council's website.

SALT LAKE CITY - When it comes to developing a cogent, bipartisan national energy strategy, Western governors are not leaving it to Washington.  That was one of the key messages today at the Utah Energy Development Summit hosted by Gov. Gary R. Herbert, Chairman of the Western Governors' Association.

"From each employee who brings home a paycheck, to the millions of dollars in economic impact, the energy industry is a vital component of a strong and growing economy," Governor Herbert said.  "In all our efforts working together to advance the energy future of western states, our ultimate goal is responsible, balanced development of the energy resources."

DENVER -- The Western Governors’ Wildlife Council (WGWC) is advancing its effort to develop a west-wide Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool, the Wildlife Council announced today.

By finalizing a contract with Applied Geographics, a firm that specializes in creating user-friendly interfaces for complex GIS data, the Wildlife Council has set the wheels in motion for an online wildlife mapping tool that will debut by December 2013. The viewer will display information on important wildlife habitat and corridors across 16 western states in the WGWC’s Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool, or CHAT.

DENVER --  Following is a statement released today by the Governors of five Western states on a federal proposal to list the Lesser Prairie Chicken as a threatened species. Governors signing the document were John Hickenlooper (Colo.), Sam Brownback (Kan.), Susana Martinez (N.M.), Mary Fallin (Okla.), and Rick Perry (Texas).

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Speaking at the National Drought Forum held here today, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback emphasized the critical importance of water resources in the arid West and actions states have taken or that are needed to be adequately prepared.

"The moderate to exceptional drought conditions we've seen this year in Kansas and throughout much of the West are hurting communities, economies, agriculture and the quality of life," Brownback said. "Drought impacts next year could be far more severe, especially given the reservoir storage in many basins has been depleted. In Kansas, we revised our drought operations plan; identified tools to meet emergency water needs; and looked for ways we could better prepare for the next drought.

 

DENVER -- Western governors today called on Congress to extend the Production Tax Credit for wind energy rather than let it expire at the end of December.

In a letter to the U.S. House and Senate leaders, Western governors said that extending the credit now is critical to achieving the country's clean energy goals, building the nation's manufacturing base, creating jobs, lowering energy costs, and strengthening domestic energy security.

Western Governors’ report examines role water transfers can play in meeting new demands

Western Governors Say Quick Action on Wildfire Needed