News : THE CONGRESSIONAL WATER CAUCUS BEGINS ITS BRIEFING SERIES FOR THE 111TH CONGRESS  [1/27/2009]
Washington, D.C.-Today, John Linder joined his fellow co-chairs on the House Water Caucus to kick-off an aggressive briefing and educational agenda for the 111th Congress.  The 2009-2010 program series, titled the “New Blue Gold,” will feature a number of educational documentary screenings and panels on water issues, including discussions by experts in the field of water supply policy and infrastructure committed to providing Congress with the information necessary to solve our nation’s growing water problems.  
  “In 2007, I co-founded the House Water Caucus in response to the growing need for Congress to address our nation’s water woes.  My goal was to get the key players involved in water policy in one room to begin a serious discussion about the current state of our country’s water resources management system.  There are thousands of people involved in the effort, but they don’t typically share their information with one another.  I wanted to provide them with a central Congressional forum so they could bring all that information to one place.”      Today’s briefing was led by External Affairs Director Andy Smith of the Irrigation Association.  This educational event allowed Members, staff, and individuals off the Hill to learn about the history and current issues facing our nation’s water infrastructure through the lens of a recent PBS documentary, Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure.      “America is facing serious problems in maintaining its aging and outdated water systems, and as a result we are fast losing the ability to sustain our limited water resources.  In 2008, then Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles stated that ‘Repairing and improving the water infrastructure is one of the most significant challenges America faces….  It’s a top priority, but because there’s no single solution, or no agency that oversees the nation’s utilities and facilities, it is a difficult challenge to address.’  I cannot agree more, and that is why we have to get our hands around this issue now.  Given the fractured nature of our water resources management system in place today, our work will not be easy, but I am more than ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.”   Linder expressed his enthusiasm that the new series of Congressional lectures being hosted by the Water Caucus will cement the foundation for future talks about water supply and management.    If you would like more information about the film featured in Tuesday’s briefing event, please visit http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/reports/liquid-assets-the-story-of-our-water-infrastructure/.    The next briefing has been scheduled for February 13, 2009, and will feature a documentary screening of The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?   
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