Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 646230
Pullman, WA 99164-6230
509-335-2885 FAX 509-335-2926
TO: Proactive Citizens in Washington, Oregon and Idaho
FROM: Donald D. Nelson, Extension Specialist Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
DATE: June 26, 2000
SUBJECT: Regional Watershed Roundtable meetings scheduled
When and Where
Oregon:
Washington:
Idaho:
(Refer to enclosed information sheets for more detailed information and directions for each
meeting.)
Water quality will be one of the primary factors in creating a sustainable future for the Pacific Northwest. Most people agree that they would like to see improved water quality and increased salmon runs. However, there is considerably less agreement on how much people would be willing to change their lifestyles or risk sacrificing what is seen as a high quality of life within the region to attain these goals. The uncertainty about the causes and effects of problems and the cost and effectiveness of proposed solutions cause people and communities to become paralyzed into non-action or litigation. To move beyond this current situation, many people believe that we need to develop a shared-vision of what we want our future to look like and then work together to make it happen through community based decisions and actions.
To help initiate this process, you are invited to attend one of three unique Regional Watershed Roundtable (Roundtable) meetings that will be held in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The purpose of these meetings is to improve communication and promote integrated, collaborative action among local watershed interests, businesses, agricultural producers, tribes, environmental groups, state and federal government agencies and other stakeholders to protect, manage and restore the region's watersheds. We especially want to encourage private property owners, public land users and agricultural producers to participate in these meetings. Please spread the word to others you know that might be interested in attending these meetings.
What makes these Roundtable meetings unique'? Meeting attendees will be active participants in consensus building techniques that foster creative solutions to old conflicts. During these meetings, everyone will have multiple opportunities to speak, express differing viewpoints and to be listened to. Existing relationships will be strengthened, and new ones will be created. This should lead to an increase in networking and the development of opportunities for collaborative efforts intended to create your desired future outcomes.
Additional objectives of these watershed meetings include: (1) identify policies that are barriers to watershed restoration and that threaten healthy relationships and recommend solutions, (2) provide forums for stakeholder feedback to state/federal agencies, (3) help government agencies better understand local perspectives and assist in the development of innovative solutions to water resource problems and (4) serve as a clearinghouse to keep people in touch with innovative ideas, training opportunities and resources for watershed protection.
The Roundtable meetings are being conducted by the Washington State University (WSU) Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (Center). The Center's mission is to develop and foster agriculture and natural resource management approaches that are economically viable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable. It acts as a facilitator to bring together diverse groups, both inside and outside WSU and in partnership with other organizations. The reports from these Roundtable meetings will be posted on the Center's web-site.
By participating in these Roundtable meetings, you will learn skills that will help you facilitate collaborative efforts in all phases/roles in your life. It is our hope that these meetings will be the beginning of an on-going collaborative process to resolve issues based on consensus decision-making for the benefit of grassroots stakeholders and the region. Such a process is discussed in the WSU project proposal entitled "Creating a Sustainable Future for Fish, Water and People." A copy of this proposal can be accessed by going to the Center's web-site at http://csanr.wsu.edu/ and then clicking on "What's New," or you can contact Don Nelson at nelsond@wsu.edu or call him at 509/335-2922 and request that a copy be mailed, e-mailed or taxed to you.
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