Agricultural News
Oklahoma Water Issues Focus of October Water Symposium in Norman
Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:55:38 CDT
Current water issues facing Oklahoma will be at the forefront Oct. 18-19 during the joint 9th annual Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute Water Research Symposium and 32nd annual Governor's Water Conference.
"Attendance has consistently been between 400 and 500 participants each of the past five years the two events have been held together," said Mike Langston, OWRRI assistant director. "This is a big water resources event in our state, and this year is even more significant with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board unveiling the 2012 Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan."
OWRB members will vote on the plan on Oct. 17. If approved, the plan will be sent to Gov. Mary Fallin and the Oklahoma Legislature for consideration and possible action.
"Participants will literally be getting the latest, most up-to-date information about the plan, plus participants can attend a close-of-conference meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Water, a bipartisan group of 16 senators and representatives who are studying the plan in consideration of potential future water policy legislation," said Brian Vance, OWRB director of information.
The event will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, located at 2501 Conference Dr. off 24th Street, east of Interstate 35 in Norman. Registration at the door is $230, which includes the cost of lunch both days and a reception on Tuesday evening. Credit cards will not be accepted for at-the-door registration.
For registration information, contact the OWRB at 405-530-8800 or visit their website by clicking here.
Both general and concurrent sessions will be featured, giving participants the ability to attend the topical meetings of most interest to them. Speakers will include Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb; Charles Fishman, author of "The Big Thirst"; Congressman James Lankford; and Gary Sherrer, Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment.
"The ongoing drought will be front and center, with sessions on measuring its effects, water conservation practices and a new tool for predicting its impact," Langston said.
Scientists with Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma have been developing the online tool, which uses information from the Oklahoma Mesonet to help agricultural producers better understand how much water in the soil is actually available to crops.
"This project will lead to daily updated maps of plant-available water for the state, and will show when and where plant growth is being suppressed by lack of soil moisture," said Tyson Ochsner, project leader and a faculty member with OSU's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. "The drought-monitoring tool is the first of its kind, and should prove useful for Oklahomans across the state."
Other hot-topic sessions will focus on harmful algae blooms and the interaction between surface water and groundwater. Oklahoma water law does not explicitly recognize a link between surface and groundwater, but some have suggested changing that.
"Many water-users, especially those in western Oklahoma where groundwater is the main source, are concerned about the implications of such a change," said Dave Engle, OWRRI director. "We thought that a discussion of the science involved might help shed some light on this important topic."
Engle and Langston added that while the thought of a science-heavy conference may seem intimidating to many, the speakers and session leaders are well aware the audience includes non-experts and work hard to craft talks that are readily understood by all.
One of the more popular presenters is sure to be Daniel Warner, an author and archaeologist who specializes in ancient water systems in the Middle East. He will be the featured luncheon speaker on Oct. 19.
"Dr. Warner continues our tradition of featured luncheon speakers who present on their archaeological findings regarding ancient water systems," Langston said. "It's always particularly enjoyable because the topic underscores how the world has always had water concerns. There is a lot we can learn today about the methods used in ancient times to find water in extreme arid conditions."
The symposium also will feature a student poster contest, another traditionally popular part of the two-day event. Graduate students from OSU, OU and the University of Tulsa will be presenting their original research projects and competing for cash prizes.
"They are doing first-rate science, and are quite creative in conveying their research in an easily understood manner," Engle said. "We thank the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations for making the poster contest possible."
Additional information about the symposium is available by contacting OWRRI by phone at 405-744-5615 or by visiting the OWRRI website. .
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