Governors Approve Recommendations for Managing Limited Water, in Face of Tremendous Growth, Drought (6/12/06)

Governors Approve Recommendations for Managing Limited Water,
in Face of Tremendous Growth, Drought

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2006

Contact:  Karen Deike (303) 377-6787

SEDONA, Ariz. -- Western governors today adopted broad-based recommendations and strategies for managing the region's limited water resources in face of tremendous growth.  They also discussed best practices for conserving public lands and communicated their priorities on specific issues via satellite with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne.

Over the last decade many Westerners have witnessed remarkable change: new industries and jobs, tremendous growth, ever increasing commute times to jobs, said Gov. Janet Napolitano, Chair of the Western Governors' Association, which is holding its Annual Meeting here through Tuesday.

We are working together to analyze and respond to the impacts of this growth on land, wildlife, water, housing communities, transportation and jobs, she said, noting that sustainable land and water practices have been a priority for her as Chair.  Western governors are demonstrating real leadership in identifying actions we can take as states, as a region, and by working together with the federal government the largest single landowner in the West.

The governors adopted recommendations prepared by the Western States Water Council, entitled: Water Needs and Strategies for a Sustainable Future. They include:

• Examine the role of water policy relative to sustainable growth.  States should identify water requirements needed for future growth and develop integrated growth and water supply impact scenarios that can be presented to local decision-makers.
• Analyze state needs and identify strategies to meet future demands. For example, better integration of vast amounts of data is needed, and the National Drought Information System, which Congress is considering and WGA supports, could be instrumental.
• Identify water infrastructure needs and promising strategies for meeting them.  Stable federal funding and flexibility for states to address their priorities is key.
• Identify means to resolve Indian water right claims in ways that provide water to tribes, while minimizing disruption to existing non-Indian uses.
• Describe potential ramifications of climate change on Western water resources, and develop recommendations to assist states in preparing for these impacts, including drought preparedness, flood control and data collection.
• Work with federal agencies to develop a protocol for improving coordination and cooperation in protecting aquatic species under the Endangered Species Act within the framework of state water laws.

The Governors also released a report, Collaborative Conservation Strategies:  Legislative Case Studies from Across the West. It examined results and lessons learned from a number of efforts to address growth and development while protecting wilderness.

Secretary Kempthorne said as a former governor, he recognizes success in Washington depends on working with governors and finding common ground.  Specifically, he said he will work with states on issues related to endangered species, including strengthening the role of states in management.

Both the water and land conservation reports and the WGA resolution on ESA are available on the Web at www.westgov.org.

The meeting concludes tomorrow with a discussion of state preparedness for a potential outbreak of avian flu.  The governors will also adopt policy resolutions and elect a new chair and vice chair.

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The Western Governors' Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 19 states and three U.S.-Flag islands in the Pacific.  Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.