Public meeting "Water, drought and New Mexico" to focus on how Los Alamos science can aid water policy

Contact: Jim Danneskiold, jdanneskiold@lanl.gov, (505) 667-1640 (03-052)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., April 21, 2003 -- New Mexico's growing thirst for water and a broad discussion of how science can help in setting water management policy will be the topic of a public meeting in Santa Fe on Wednesday morning, April 23.

As part of its 60th Anniversary celebrations, Los Alamos National Laboratory is sponsoring the forum, "Water, Drought and New Mexico," beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Hotel. Los Alamos researchers and other noted climate scientists, state officials and members of the scientific, environmental and water policy communities will present their research, and talk about current water and drought issues.

After presentations by climate researchers and Paul Saavedra, chief of the Water Rights Division at the State Engineer's Office, a panel discussion will begin at 10:40 a.m. The public and the media are welcome to take part in the panel discussion.

"Water and drought are major issues for New Mexico, for our future quality of life and for economic growth," said Everett Springer of Los Alamos' Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, coordinator for Wednesday's program.

"We hope to demonstrate to the people of New Mexico what Los Alamos National Laboratory is doing in the area of water and how the Lab's scientific capability can be applied to help policy makers better manage our water resources," Springer said.

One goal of the meeting is to show how science is used in formulating policy. A wide range of participants was invited to help the public see how water issues cut across the key concerns of so many different and important interest groups, Springer added.

Among the participants is University of Arizona professor Soroosh Sorooshian, a fellow of the National Academy of Engineering and member of several international panels on global climate change. Sorooshian has been working with Los Alamos researchers and others on models of water use and drought patterns in the Rio Grande basin.

The agenda for the meeting follows:

AGENDA - "WATER, DROUGHT AND NEW MEXICO"

8:30-8:45 Welcome
8:45 - 9:05 Science Vision Soroosh Sorooshian
9:05 - 9:25 Global modeling context Phil Jones, LANL
9:25 - 9:45 Regional modeling of the Rio Grande Keeley Costigan, LANL
9:45 - 10:05 Española Basin Modeling Elizabeth Keating, LANL
10:05 - 10:20 Break
10:20 - 10:40 Water Policy in New Mexico Paul Saavedra
10:40 - 12 Panel discussion on the Intersection of Panel Members
Water Science and Water Policy
* Nature Conservancy Gary Bell
* PNM Marc Christensen
* New Mexico Business Alliance Eileen Grevey-Hillson
* University of New Mexico David Brookshire
* University of Arizona Soroosh Sorooshian
* New Mexico State Engineer Paul Saavedra

Each panel member will provide a 5-minute overview and then discussion will start.

Noon Meeting adjourns

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.