Collaborating on Water

Collaborating on Water

Volume 4 Issue 6 June 2018

Municipal water supply, flood control, and growthrelated issues are extraordinarily complex challenges that require visionary leadership and creative funding to solve. This issue of Municipal Water Leader magazine highlights long-term water supply efforts in Utah and successful flood control work in California. Additionally, in this issue we speak with key individuals who have been highly effective through their collaboration efforts.

Gene Shawcroft, general manager of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, discusses the district area’s growth, the challenges the district is facing, and how Utah water districts are preparing to meet goals set out by Utah Governor Gary Herbert for projected water needs in 2060. Congresswoman Doris Matsui shares her insight on building flood control systems for the 21st century and highlights the challenges and successes of the Folsom Dam in Sacramento, California. Todd H. Votteler, PhD, president of Collaborative Water Resolution, describes the benefits of alternative dispute resolution in resolving complex water disputes. His unique dispute resolution training is timely and will be helpful to many. Rick Johnson, executive director of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, speaks about the agency’s mission, its involvement with the Folsom Dam Auxiliary Spillway Project, and its efforts to better prepare for future flood events. Laura Briefer, director for Salt Lake City Public Utilities, describes the water supply, wastewater, and growth challenges of Utah’s oldest utility. Finally, Brent Rhees, director for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Upper Colorado Region, shares his insights on the region’s water supply future, current challenges, and potential outcomes for western water users.

We hope that you find this issue of Municipal Water Leader informative and helpful in your efforts to supply water to the American people. M

Kris Polly is editor-in-chief of Municipal Water Leader magazine and president of Water Strategies LLC, a government relations firm he began in February 2009 for the purpose of representing and guiding water, power, and agricultural entities in their dealings with Congress, the Bureau of Reclamation, and other federal government agencies. He may be contacted at Kris.Polly@waterstrategies.com.