2018 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit

The Water Policy Working Group provides an important dialogue to address water policy issues throughout the Pacific Northwest region. By connecting with legislators, private-sector and universities, we work to identify best practices to improve water security, adaptation of climate change, and storage options. We also provide updates to the region on the Columbia River Treaty and explore linkages with other working groups, including Invasive Species.

• Targeting research investments to achieve outcomes and resiliency in policy and practice
• Dealing with water scarcity and variability, practical experiences in an irrigation district
• Water resource planning and actions at the state level
• Legislative round robin

Water Policy Working Group Session Introduction
Co-Chairs:

• Senator Jim Honeyford, Washington State Legislature
• David Hill, Director, Centres & Institutes & Research Advocacy, University of Lethbridge

Water Resource Planning and Actions at the State Level
Washington State has been make strides to address adaptation to ongoing changing climate, water scarcity and security, environmental performance, integration of activities with tribes, infrastructure planning and the challenges and opportunities.

• G. Thomas Tebb,  Director, Office of Columbia River, Washington State Department of Ecology

Dealing With Water Scarcity and Variability, Practical Experiences in an Irrigation District
Roza Irrigation District is actively engaging on current and future water resource issues that impact irrigated agriculture. Learn how irrigation districts and their growers are adapting to become more resilient.

• Scott Revell, District Manager, Roza Irrigation District

Targeting Research Investments to Achieve Outcomes and Resiliency in Policy and Practice
Alberta Innovates is leading the way in water research, from the creative work in integrated watershed management and operations at the watershed/provincial scale, to technology development in the industrial sector and the trajectory of water use in the oil sands operations. The entire scope of activities within Alberta Innovates Water Innovation programming highlights success stories and ongoing challenges and strategies to address them.

• Brett Purdy, Executive Director of Water and Land, Alberta Innovates

R&D and Innovation: Managing Water Quality in the Elk Valley
Teck is taking an innovative approach to managing water quality in Canada’s Elk Valley through the implementation of emerging water treatment technologies coupled with a comprehensive R&D program. Learn how Teck is working to protect aquatic health across the watershed while ensuring continued sustainable mining in the region.

• Christian Baxter, Director, Environmental Strategy, Teck Resources Limited
  
  

Water Policy Legislative Roundtable 
A Round Robin panel of legislators from across PNWER will showcase water policy, legislative, regulatory, and finance issues from various PNWER jurisdictions. They will also explore how they are proposing to move forward and address these emerging challenges.

• Senator Jim Honeyford, Washington State Legislature
• Senator Judy Warnick, Washington State Legislature
• Robin Luff, MLA, Province of Alberta
• Senator Lee Heider, Idaho State Legislature
• TBD, Oregon State Legislature
• Rep. Mike Cuffe, Montana State Legislature
• Minister Ken Cheveldayoff, Government of Saskatchewan
• Rep. Geran Tarr, Alaska State Legislature

(as of July 5, 2018)