'A National Water Policy Event'

On Tuesday July 28th, 2009, an interesting event is taking place in Washington D.C. that seeks, "To bring the executive and congressional branches of the U.S. government together with public and private sectors of the water industry, Native American community and other interested parties and provide a dialogue to discuss the urgent importance of the implementation of a Comprehensive Integrated Water Policy."

This event sounds like a great opportunity to discuss water issues with a wide variety of key stakeholders. Sen Jeff Bingaman (D-NM and Sponsor of the Energy and Water Integration Act of 2009) will be joined with House members Earl Blumenaur (OR), John Linder (GA), Mary Bono Mack (CA), Jim Costa (CA). Remaining sponsors of the event include some major water utilities, national nonprofits, universities and a private sponsor or two.

I read about this event on Michael Campana's indispensible water blog, WaterWired:

Jim Thebaut, friend and filmmaker extraordinaire,and the man behind the Running Dry Project, is organizing a National Water Policy Event in Washington, DC, on 28 July 2009, 5:30 - 9:30 PM, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Auditorium.

The event will bring together the executive and legislative branches of the USA government with other stakeholders - private citizens, industry, Native Americans, et al. - to have a dialogue on the implementation of national comprehensive, integrated, water policy.

Quite an ambitious objective!

There will be a reception, guest speakers, a screening of The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?, and a panel discussion. Check out the flyer for more information. RSVP by 21 July 2009.

If you're in the D.C. area at the end of July, I'm sure it would be worth attending this event. As far as I can tell it is open to the public so i hope one of you go--the grassroots river and watershed movement should be heard at an event like this.