Press Release

"Our purpose is to discuss new and better ways to meet environmental challenges," said Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer, Chairman of the Western Governors' Association. "Change is upon us, and if we are not the architects of change, we will be the victims of change. We prefer to be the architects."

Over 400 leaders representing government, business, environmental groups and landowners joined the governors to review eight principles adopted by the Western Governors' Association called, Enlibra: A New Shared Doctrine for Environmental Management. The governors are seeking feedback on the principles and whether they can be used not only to resolve environmental conflicts more efficiently and effectively but also to head off emerging problems.

"We have purposely brought together groups of individuals who, in some cases, are widely polarized and have deeply entrenched positions," said Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, co-lead governor for the Enlibra initiative. "That (conflict) is going to go on, because conflict is often a necessary prerequisite for collaboration. The idea is to see if there is a better way to resolve that conflict...and to find new ways to meet national environmental standards that build community rather than disrupt it."

Kitzhaber said new tools are needed to manage more complex environmental challenges that we face in the 21^st century.

Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, who serves as WGA's co-lead for the Enlibra initiative, said the goal of the meeting is not to reach a consensus on the principles. The goal is to develop a broader view of how to solve problems.

"We want to increase the velocity of problem solving on environmental issues," Leavitt said. "While the principles will not eliminate conflict, we hope to expedite solutions and minimize the costs of conflict. Significant progress has been made in solving environmental problems over the past 25 years. But the goal is to double the amount of progress in the next 25 years and to do it at a cost that is not as high as the past 25 years has been to society. We believe that is achievable if we work together."

The eight principles of Enlibra, which stands for balance and stewardship, are:

• National Standards, Neighborhood Solutions--The federal government has responsibility for setting environmental standards for national efforts. States should be able to develop plans to meet those standards and to ensure that the standards are met.
• Collaboration, Not Polarization-Stakeholders should use collaborative processes to break down barriers and find solutions.
• Reward Results, Not Programs--To achieve a clean and safe environment, government actions should focus on outcomes, not programs.
• Science for Facts, Process for Priorities-Decision makers should use credible, independent scientists to help reduce the problem of "competing science" from opposite sides of the issue.
• Markets Before Mandates-Command-and-control enforcement should, when appropriate, be replaced with economic incentives.
• Change a Heart, Change a Nation--The success of environmental policies depend on a citizenry that understands its relationship with the environment and stewardship responsibilities.
• Recognition of Benefits and Costs--The implementation of environmental policies and programs should be guided by an assessment of the costs and benefits of different options and a determination of the feasibility of implementing the options.
• Solutions Transcend Political Boundaries--Appropriate geographic boundaries, such as an air shed or watershed should be used in addressing environmental problems.

Participants are offering their advice on the principles during breakout sessions today and tomorrow. The meeting concludes tomorrow at noon.

The Western Governors' Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states, two territories and one commonwealth. 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.

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