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IN THIS ISSUE: WRRC Conference, AWRA, Drought Report, APW, Water Shortage, ShanghaiRanking
WRRC Conference Draft Agenda Posted
The Water Resources Research Center is pleased to announce that a draft agenda for our annual conference, Tribal Water Resilience in a Changing Environment, has been posted. The conference, which is dedicated to the legacy of tribal leader and attorney Rodney B. Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community, will be held virtually over three days. On Monday, August 30, the three-hour program will begin with a remembrance of Rod Lewis and then will feature Indigenous perspectives on resilience, including meanings and reflections based on traditional knowledge, experience, study, and contemplation. Remarks from Indigenous leaders during the three-hour session on Tuesday, August 31, will focus on “Priorities for Building Water Resilient Communities.” Partnerships are the focus of Day 3, Wednesday, September 1, along with a look to the future by committed participants in advancing water resilience. To raise awareness and understanding of Indigenous perceptions, perspectives, and vision relating to water resilience in a changing environment, this conference will provide an opportunity to hear from speakers representing an astounding diversity of Indigenous voices. View the draft agenda linked below. In addition, at noon AZ time (1:00 pm MDT) on August 13, we are offering a pre-conference webinar focused on tribal water rights and settlements. The webinar is designed to provide context for discussions during the conference. CLE credit is available for this webinar for attorneys practicing in Arizona.
 
WRRC EVENTS
WRRC Pre-Conference Webinar: Tribal Water Rights and Settlements

Date: Aug 13
Time: Noon to 1:30 pm AZ time (1:00 pm - 2:30 pm MDT)
Location: Webinar

As a supplement to our annual conference, Tribal Water Resilience in a Changing Environment, the UArizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) is presenting a pre-conference webinar: “Tribal Water Rights and Settlements.” Please join us to hear water law and tribal attorneys Margaret Vick and Robyn Interpreter, and Director of the Tribal Justice Clinic and Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona, Heather Whiteman Runs Him, discuss Indian water rights and settlements. This webinar will provide the legal context to the broader discussions of tribal water resilience to take place at the conference August 30 – September 1. The WRRC will provide a CLE Certificate of Attendance to practitioners licensed in Arizona.*

*The State Bar of Arizona does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement. This activity may qualify for up to one hour toward your annual CLE requirement for the State Bar of Arizona.

Photo: Pee Posh Wetlands, Sharon B. Megdal

OTHER EVENTS
NEWS
AZ Experts Support National Land and
Water Conference 
 
The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) held its first virtual Specialty Conference titled “2021 Summer Land and Water Specialty Conference” over three days, July 19-21. The conference was designed to bring together stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines to address land and water planning and management. Arizona had strong representation throughout the conference, including speakers from the Navajo Nation, Arizona State University, the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and the University of Arizona. Among the 11 speakers from Arizona, sisters Nikki Tulley and Crystal Tulley-Cordova spoke on Indigenous perspectives surrounding collaborative approaches to land use. Additionally, speakers such as Jim Holway and Tamee Albrecht provided insight into the indicators and impacts of land and water use throughout the US. In addition to serving as conference co-chair and moderator of three sessions, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal gave a lightning talk on binational collaborative research at two transboundary aquifers at the US-Mexico border. Arizona experts made significant contributions to the diverse and interesting sessions at connecting land and water planning.
ADWR Announces Annual Drought Report for 2019-2020

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) wants people to know about an underappreciated data resource that is available on their website. Published annually since 2006, the Arizona Drought Preparedness Annual Report offers detailed, straightforward information about the effects of the region’s ongoing, 20-plus year-long drought and careful, science-based indications of future conditions. In the report on water year 2020, the “Drought Status Summary” section includes the year’s precipitation, streamflow, and water supply status. It also reports data from drought index wells and summarizes information on forest health, drought declarations, and disaster designations. The outlook for the 2020-2021 water year contains climate projections from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center. In the section highlighting implementation of ADWR’s Drought Preparedness Plan, the report describes the activities of statewide and local drought preparedness committees and councils, including a section on drought and health written in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services. Among the activities described is the inauguration of a new interactive Drought Dashboard with data and maps showing drought conditions from 2000 to the present in Arizona as a whole as well as individual counties. Other resources are provided in three information-rich appendices: the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s 2020 Natural Resources Drought Report and County Local Drought Impact Group 2020 Annual Reports by Mohave and Pima Counties.

Tucson Program Gearing up for
2021-22 School Year
 
APW is delighted to have two new staff members to drive our Tucson Education program! Clayton Lyon is excited to be the Outreach Assistant. He started with APW last year, providing service as an AmeriCorps member. Using his background and skills in photography and video to develop content, he taught virtual presentations and managed APW's social media presence. Clayton is thrilled to be able to continue this work, along with supporting teachers in our rainwater harvesting program and managing our hands-on equipment for classroom learning. This summer, Clayton is closely monitoring the rain basin he built in the BYOB program when he is not busy capturing amazing images of our summer monsoon storms.
 
Brian Valencia joined APW Tucson as an Outreach Specialist. Brian comes to us from Amphitheater High School where he taught digital media and coached girls soccer and boys volleyball teams. His classroom teaching experience will help guide our AmeriCorps Water Educators in their delivery of engaging water lessons to classrooms across Tucson. Brian is already connecting with K-12 Tucson teachers to schedule APW programs, developing our next generation of water stewards. Brian enjoys taking photos, watching movies, and traveling with his wife.
 
Water Shortage Declaration in the Southwest
 
On July 18, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Timothy O’Brien published a comprehensive article entitled “Can the Southwest Survive with Less Water?” on Bloomberg Opinion. The article addresses the impending ‘Tier 1’ shortage declaration on the Colorado River within the broader context of drought, climate change, and water law and policy. Adding his voice to the many recent articles on drought in the West, O’Brien’s piece includes a short, informative video overview of what is covered in the article, including what the water shortage declaration means for Arizona. Among the experts who contributed to the article, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal is quoted in relation to the shortage declaration: “We are not in a state of panic. We’re prepared. We knew it was coming and we’ve been storing water underground. But the situation is bad and it's growing worse sooner and faster than we thought it would. Some aren’t going to be able to continue business as usual. They will have to adapt.” The article emphasizes the importance of strengthening water conservation regulations and laws to meet the current and coming challenges.

Image: Google Earth

UArizona Ranks #1 in Water Resources
 
The University of Arizona has been ranked No. 1 among US institutions in water resources for the fifth consecutive year, according to the recently published 2021 ShanghaiRanking. This year, UArizona ranked second globally and has been in the top three for water resources research since the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy began tracking the category in 2017. The rankings are based on metrics including the number of peer-reviewed journal publications, citation ratios, international collaboration, and staff awards. The ranking scores more than 4,000 global universities across 54 subjects. UArizona News quotes President Robert C. Robbins highlighting the University’s hard work and dedication to the field of water resources: “Our leadership in water resources is a point of significant pride for the university, and our expertise and experience in the vitally important areas of sustainability and climate resilience will have an undeniable impact both now and in the future."

The Weekly Wave Returns Aug 13!
This is the final issue of the bi-weekly Summer Wave for 2021. The Weekly Wave will be returning August 13.
WATER JOBS

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