December 14, 2018 / Volume 6, Issue 35
In this issue:  Leadership Forum / TAAP / APW / IBWC
2019 WRRC Conference Features
Arizona Legislators Panel
This February, the WRRC annual conference, "Arizona Runs on Water: Scarcity, Challenges, and Community-based Solutions", will be held in our state's capital and will feature case-studies about water from across Arizona. Holding the conference on a Friday in Phoenix makes it possible for state senators and representatives to attend and network with water professionals, citizens, business leaders, and others interested in water management and decision making. Toward that end, we are reaching out to the legislature at large to make sure they know about this unique opportunity. In addition, an Arizona Legislators Panel, including Senators Gail Griffin and Lisa Otondo, Representatives Rosanna Gabaldón and House Speaker-Elect, Russell (Rusty) Bowers will be a conference highlight. Moderated by WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal, the panel discussion will reflect on the day's presentations and the water issues and decisions facing Arizona. The conference will be held on Feb 1 at the Black Canyon Conference Center, 9440 N 25th Ave., in Phoenix.  Register and join the conversation about how Arizona communities will ensure that they have sufficient water to meet their future needs.
 
Register by December 21 to get the Early Bird Rate. See the full agenda here.   
WRRC NEWS
droughtWRRC Director Participates in Leadership Forum       
 
On Friday, December 7, 2018, the O'Connor Institute and Valley Leadership co-organized a half-day leadership forum titled: "Water in Arizona: Past, Present, and Future", held in Tempe, AZ. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal moderated the opening panel titled, "Drought and Other Challenges: How is Arizona Going to Meet Future Water Demand? 'Shortage is the New Normal"'. Session panelists included Tom Buschatzke, AZ Department of Water Resources, Ted Cook, Central Arizona Project, Dave Roberts, Salt River Project, and Kevin Moran, Western Water. At the CAP sponsored luncheon, Dr. Megdal introduced keynote speaker, Senator John Kyl.
   
crwuaSpecial Issue on Transboundary Aquifers Published    
 
Almost 600 aquifers are shared between two or more countries worldwide. The Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies recently published a Special Issue on International Shared Aquifer Resources Assessment and Management. The Special Issue features 11 research articles on global and local issues involving transboundary aquifers, including case studies from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal, Research Analyst Jacob Petersen-Perlman, and Research Specialist Elia Tapia Villase ñ or co-authored an article about the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program with other scientists from the U.S. and Mexico, entitled "Findings and lessons learned from the assessment of the Mexico-United States transboundary San Pedro and Santa Cruz aquifers: The utility of social science in applied hydrologic research." This article, as well as the other articles in the Special Issue, are freely available online.  

awrPartners Help APW Move to the Next Level
 
 
As the end of another year draws near, we at APW want to make sure we acknowledge the people who help make our programs a success. Science Specialist Cassandra Kellaris, with the Roosevelt Elementary School District, worked with APW education specialists and the City of Phoenix to bring the Arizona Water Festival Program to her district in the 2016-17 school year. After that first festival year, she worked with APW specialists to develop a new scope and sequence for the curriculum unit, rewrite the festival lessons into a teacher-friendly curriculum unit guide, and personally put together material kits for her district's teachers. She's been the key to district buy-in and the success of the Roosevelt Water Festival. Dedicated district specialists like Cassandra Kellaris go the extra mile to bring effective education to their teachers and students, and benefits to their communities!
monographTransboundary Aquifer Assessment Program featured at IBWC Citizens' Forum
 
The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) holds the Southeast Arizona Citizens Forum four times a year in Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties to promote the exchange of information regarding IBWC activities in Southeast Arizona. The most recent meeting was held on December 6 at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department Water Campus in Tucson. Roberto Molina of the North American Development Bank gave a presentation on the bank's efforts to assist the community of Naco, Sonora in mitigating sewage overflows to Arizona. In addition, Research Analyst Jacob Petersen-Perlman and Research Specialist Elia Tapia Villase ñ or presented on the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program's past efforts and future directions, with a special focus on activities occurring in the Arizona-Sonora Region.   
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS