Welcome!

Bozeman, Montana will be the setting for vigorous deliberations on water policy issues that have become particularly pressing in the Northwestern states in recent years. You are invited to attend the 2006 Northwest Water Policy and Law Symposium, a two-day gathering to explore solutions in three areas that challenge decision-makers: surface-water/ground-water interaction, water infrastructure management, and conflicting land- and water-use laws. You and your fellow meeting participants will listen to case studies and problem statements from the experts, then develop recommendations for state and local policy-makers in the Inland Northwestern United States.

The symposium will begin with an evening welcoming reception, dinner and keynote address by
Donald Worster, the Hall Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of Kansas. An international leader in the field of environmental history, Dr. Worster is author of several works including A River Running West: The Life of John Wesley Powell, and Rivers of Empire which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

His provocative presentation will be followed by two days of meetings featuring invited speakers, panel discussions, and concurrent discussions. Invited speakers include Warren Muir, Executive Director, Division on Earth and Life Studies (DELS) of the National Academies, Lawrence Susskind, noted environmental dispute mediator and professor of urban planning at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology, and Dan Tarlock, distinguished professor of law and director of the Program in Environmental and Energy Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law.

We welcome all participants to the symposium. Those who will benefit most will be state legislators, agency personnel, water policy experts and attorneys, water scientists and managers, and officials of local government. Between 150 and 200 participants are anticipated. A meeting proceedings will be provided to all registrants.