Town Hall Conference starts today

[ MAY 23, 2010 - NORMAN, OK ] - The Oklahoma Academy will hold a Town Hall Conference to consider the results of a four and a half year public collaboration concerning the state’s most precious resource - water. The Town Hall will be today through Wednesday in Norman at the NCED Conference Center & Hotel.

A group of 175 Town Hall participants will address 11 areas: conservation, land use practices, intergovernmental management, interagency management, surface and ground water relationship, water sales and transfers, conflict resolution, balancing supply and demand, stakeholder involvement, and local and regional issues.

Julie Knutson, Oklahoma Academy president and CEO, said the Water Town Hall will be the conclusion of a four and half year, citizen-centered process managed by the Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute to gather statewide public input regarding concerns and ideas on the use and management of water. In 2006 they asked the Oklahoma Academy to facilitate a Town Hall Conference in May of 2010 to put the results through a final citizen, or stakeholder, discussion and review.”

Knutson said the results and recommendations from the Town Hall Conference will be given to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for their consideration as elements in the State’s 50 Year Water Plan.

John Feaver, president of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, will chair the Town Hall. Academy board members Richard Wansley, OSU-Tulsa; Kelly Hurt, No Fences Land; Tom McKeon, Tulsa Community College; Anita Poole, American Farmers & Ranchers; Matthew Weaver, Greater OKC Port Authority; and Steve Kreidler, University of Central Oklahoma will act as panel leaders moderating panel discussions. 

Panel recorders are Evan Vincent, Crowe Dunlevy; Chase Schnebel, Phillips Murrah; Tracy Zahl, Riggs Abney et al; Robert “Bud” Scott, OK Progressive Policy; Emily Hufnagel, Bass Law Firm; and Amanda Ewing.