Irrigation Association staff recently attended the January briefing of the Congressional Water Caucus. The event was the first meeting of the Water Caucus for the 111th Congress.
The educational event was moderated by IA External Affairs Director Andy Smith. Fifty people attended the briefing, with the audience comprised of senior Congressional staff and water industry professionals. Attendees discussed the history and current issues facing the nation's water infrastructure, and viewed the PBS documentary Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure.
"Educating members of Congress on national water policy is imperative to our mission of promoting efficient irrigation," said IA's Federal Affairs Director John Farner. "It's an honor for the Irrigation Association to moderate the inaugural briefing of the Water Caucus and Andy did an excellent job advancing the IA's message and credibility amongst key leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives."
The Congressional Water Caucus was founded in 2007 in response to the growing need for Congress to address the nation's water woes. The group established "Twelve Principles of Water Policy," a set of goals for the caucus that includes achieving a sufficient water supply for urban and rural areas; considering all available technologies for increasing water supply efficiently while safeguarding the environment; and implementing strategies to improve efficiencies.
IA participates in Congressional Water Caucus briefing
Attendees discussed the history and current issues facing the nation's water infrastructure.