Executive Director's Notebook: WGA raising awareness of Western issues in Washington

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.

On May 7, WGA sent a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in support of its efforts to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). WGA highlighted issues of concern, including the omission of language acknowledging states’ rights in water management. Following the letter's delivery, the legislation was amended to address this and other WGA concerns. (Find our letter.)

During the week of May 6 I engaged in productive meetings with the Department of Defense, National Hydropower Association, the National Mining Association’s Minerals Policy Task Force, and the office of Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.). In addition, I met with the staff of both House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Natural Resources Committee to discuss legislative priorities.

On April 22, WGA and the Western States Water Council sent a joint letter to the Senate's Committee on Energy and Natural Resources expressing the association's support for small hydropower projects. On May 8, the committee voted to move four bills on hydropower to the Senate floor.

On April 17, I testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies to encourage the use of state fish and wildlife data to inform the land use, land planning and related natural resource decisions of federal agencies. Read the testimony.

There’s still a lot of work to do on behalf of Western Governors, but we’re encouraged that their messages are getting through.

Jim 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.