SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
BACKGROUND: An annual Great Basin Water Forum is called for in a 2009 memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by two counties in Utah (Juab and Millard Counties), three counties in California (Inyo, Lassen and Mono Counties) and the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority (eight county organization comprised of Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Lander, Nye, Pershing and White Pine Counties). The purpose of the annual Forum, per the MOU, is to provide local governments in the Great Basin an opportunity to come together to discuss water and water-related issues common to the Great Basin (e.g., challenges of growth, sustainable water supply, federal programs and regulations, water and land use planning, etc.), and if desired, make recommendations concerning common interests to the appropriate entities and organizations. There was a Great Basin Water Forum in 2009 and 2010. The Central Nevada Regional Water Authority hosted the first two Forums, and it will host the 2011 Forum.
FOCUS OF THE 2011 GREAT BASIN WATER FORUM: There are many communities in the American West that are, or will be, beyond the point of a sustainable water supply. The 2011 Great Basin Water Forum will focus on what is being done, or could be done, to address this problem.
TOPICS OF THE 2011 FORUM:
• Nuts & Bolts of a Rural Water Resource Plan
• Future Water Supply in the Great Basin
• Status of Controversial Interbasin Transfer of Water Projects in the Great Basin
• Discussion of Issues of Interest to MOU Parties and Forum attendees
SPEAKERS: The Forum will have speakers who are highly respected in their fields. Speakers include USGS Utah Water Science Center hydrologists (David Susong and Dr. Victor Heilweil); Mike Dunbar, General Manager, South Coast Water District in Southern California; Dr. Kelly Redmond, Regional Climatologist, Western Regional Climate Center; Chris Mahannah, Mahannah & Associates; Dale Bugenig, Consulting Hydrogeologist; Rex Massey, Research & Consulting; Bart Whatcott, Chairman of the Millard County Board of Commissioners; Linda Arcularius, member of the Inyo County Board of Supervisors; Gary Perea, Vice Chairman of the White Pine County Board of Commissioners and Vice Chairman of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority; and Steve Bradhurst, Executive Director of the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority.
FORUM RECEPTION OCTOBER 13, 2011: The October 14 Forum will be preceded by a Forum reception, October 13, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Bristlecone Convention Center. The purpose of the reception is to provide Forum attendees an opportunity to informally interact, and there may be a short presentation by one or more of the Forum speakers. Possible presentation topics are groundwater recharge and desalination.
LODGING INFORMATION: There is ample lodging in Ely, including hotels and motels near the Bristlecone Convention Center. Go to the Bristlecone Convention Center website (www.elynevada.net), click on “Planning Your Visit,” and click on “Lodging.”
REGISTRATION AND COSTS: There will not be a cost for registration and nourishment. Registration will be at the door, and the Forum host will provide food and drinks (nonalcoholic) at the Forum events. People planning on attending the October 13 Forum reception and/or the October 14 Forum are asked to contact Steve Bradhurst in order to assist Forum logistics (i.e., food, seating, etc.).
