Announcements
- Water Policy Conference 2007
Conference Proceedings and Session Abstracts are now available on the conferences page.
Water in the Pacific Northwest, Moving Science into Policy and Action, 2007 Conference
This year’s biennial Regional Research and Extension Water Quality Conference held in early November at the Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA explored ways of merging water science and policy to promote interactive collaboration on complex water-policy decisions--an important goal for all environmental and water resources professionals in the Pacific Northwest. Our two-day conference included a unique mix of presentations, featured speakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and a poster session packed with information relating to a broad array of interesting regional topics presented by water organizations, policy makers, scientists, and researchers with Pacific Northwest experience. Because of the interesting and timely agenda; there were over 240 registrants in attendance. Based on feedback provided on the evaluation forms, the conference was an enormous success!
This event incorporated and highlighted regional solutions to complex environmental and water resources problems faced by federal, state, tribal, and local agencies, as well as practitioners, non-governmental organizations and stakeholders. Moreover, the conference provided a forum for people to form professional networks and begin to understand the multidisciplinary nature of many regional challenges. While focusing on regional issues, the conference began each morning with a thought-provoking keynote presentation. Nationally recognized Dr. P. Patrick Leahy spoke on the first day and his perspective helped set the tone for the conference including comments regarding educational needs in the field, which struck an important chord with our audience. Representative Jackie Dingfelder (Oregon) opened the conference on the second day with a unique perspective as a state representative and environmental consultant. The points made regarding communication, trust, and scientific integrity gave us all pause for reflection. Each speaker shed new light on the challenges and opportunities for Moving Science into Policy and Action.
The keynote speakers were followed by an impressive list of speakers selected to address the specific conference themes which were:
- Science and Policy of Flow Allocation
- Scientific Uncertainties and Disagreements
- Groundwater/Surface Water
- Data and Analysis Uncertainty
- Modeling Collaboration
- Climate Change
- What Makes People Act
- Allocation Alternatives
- Linking Land and Water: Analysis and Characterization for Resource Protection
- Transboundary Issues
- Policy Strategies
- People and Policy
Other conference-related activities included a poster session/reception where attendees were given the chance to talk one-on-one to the twenty-seven poster presenters and network with colleagues having similar interests. Immediately preceding the conference we help two half-day workshops aimed at educating participants with regard to the complex issues surrounding hydropower and anadromous fish management from both the CRITFC and the policy perspectives and on designing collaborative strategies to integrate science and policy. Paul VanDevelder hosted a screening of his Waterbuster movie; an intriguing documentary of the impacts of dam construction and displacement in the 1940’s on Native Americans and how it has contributed to their struggle to find a sense of place and identity.
The regional flavor of this conference was consistently praised as an excellent facet of the conference, because local communities can see how others in the area addressed problems similar to what they are facing. Moreover, this conference has improved and encouraged the interaction, collaboration and communication between scientists and policy makers. It also engaged scientists on the needs, constraints, and opportunities policy makers face, and engaged policy makers on the contributions and the limitations of science in the policy making process. Finally, the need to develop communication lines and trust, similar to successful Extension programs, was firmly established.
Further information about the conference including speaker abstracts can be viewed by following the link below…
Water in the Pacific Northwest: Moving Science into Policy and Action