Water 2009: Building on Change March 12, 2009

With new political leadership and a critical drought, 2009 promises to bring many changes to the water community. Water 2009: Building on Change is the theme of the Water Education Foundation’s 26th Annual Executive Briefing, March 12-13 at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento.

Presenting the “View from the Legislature” will be Senator Fran Pavley, new Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water; Assemblymember Jared Huffman, new Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife; and Senator Dave Cogdill, Senate Minority Leader and active in water issues.

With 20 percent by 2020 as the Governor’s conservation goal, drought, climate change, and ideas on stretching the Colorado River supplies are just a few of the issues the water world will focus on in 2009. This year’s Executive Briefing will include a lively debate on the proposed Delta decision, and feature in-depth panel discussions on topics such as “Getting By with Less.” Headline speakers will include Professor John D. Leshy of UC Hastings College of the Law and former Solicitor of the Department of the Interior during the Clinton Administration. Professor Leshy worked on the transition team for Obama’s Interior Department and will discuss how Obama’s appointees will affect water policy decisions for 2009.

The briefing also includes a “silent auction” hosted by the Water Leaders Association, the alumni from the Foundation’s popular Water Leaders Class. Proceeds from the “sale” of donated items provide financial support for the William R. Gianelli Water Leaders Program.

For more information or to register for the briefing, visit our web site at http://www.watereducation.org/conferences and look for the Executive Briefing tab, or call (916) 444-6240.