News Release Archive

Boise Conference to Discuss Water Issues in the Northwest

Media Contact: Diana Cross , (208) 378-5020

For Release: June 26, 2003

Water plays a pivotal role in sustaining a healthy environment and a growing economy in the Pacific Northwest, but it can also be at the crossroads of political and social confrontation among interest groups who feel it isn't managed properly.

On July 17, Reclamation will host a special conference aimed at bringing together experienced statesmen, national policy makers, and local leaders to discuss ways of preventing the critical water supply problems facing many communities in the Pacific Northwest.

The Water 2025 conference will be held at the Red Lion Hotel, Boise Downtowner, 1800 Fairview, Boise, Idaho from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A block of rooms at the Red Lion is being held until July 1 under Water 2025 Conference.

There is no charge for attending the meeting, although preregistration is required. Information on registration and background on the Water 2025 plan can be found at www.usbr.gov/pn. An updated agenda, listing keynote speakers and panelists, will be posted at this site soon.

The meeting is one of a series being conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation this summer, in support of a blueprint set forth by the Department of the Interior.

The goals of the conferences are to identify the watersheds with the greatest potential risk of inadequate water supply in the next 25 years, evaluate the most effective ways of addressing water supply challenges, and recommend cooperative planning approaches and tools that have the most likelihood of success.

Following the Boise meeting, additional conferences will be held in Billings, Montana, July 29; Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 12; and Austin, Texas, August 14. Previous meetings took place in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Sacramento, and Salt Lake City.

Failing to strategically address long-term, systematic problems caused by competing demands for a finite water supply can have significant consequences," observed Secretary Norton, who participated in the kickoff conference for Water 2025: Preventing Crises and Conflict in the West in Denver on June 6.

The entire proposal may be found at www.doi.gov/water2025.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.