Experts at an Arizona State University symposium warned that the West's insatiable consumption of water for irrigation, industry, and drinking is killing native animals and plants and jeopardizing water quality for future generations. The discussions, held on Monday and Tuesday, highlighted a growing consensus that current water-use policies are destroying aquatic ecosystems and setting the stage for economic and ecological reckoning.
Threats to Aquatic Life
The symposium brought together environmentalists, scientists, and government officials to examine the growing problem and search for possible solutions. A primary concern raised during the event was the impact of dams and canals on natural river flows. Botanist Duncan Patten, a professor at Montana State University, argued that the current methods of water management are causing significant damage.
Patten stated that the West's water use has altered the course of many rivers and watersheds for decades. He advocated for a shift in management strategies, stating, "We need to start operating our dams and channels to mimic the natural systems as much as possible." Patten emphasized that the ultimate priority must be clean water, noting, "The bottom line here is clean water. It’s time that we concern ourselves with the other passengers on this planet."
Policy and Management Gaps
The symposium was sponsored by the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission, a body created by Congress in 1995 to conduct a comprehensive review of federal laws and activities across 19 western states. The commission is working to streamline a hodgepodge of water management policies and is expected to issue a report to the Clinton administration in October.
Donald Glaser, the commission's executive director, noted a critical disconnect in how water is currently managed. He stated, "There is a direct connection between water quality and water quantity. Yet they are managed separately in the West." However, Glaser also observed a trend toward collective decision-making among government agencies.
Regulatory Challenges
Legal experts expressed concern regarding the lack of oversight in land use. Denise Fort, an associate professor of law at the University of Mexico Law School and the commission's chairwoman, said that the lack of appropriate land-use policies can be traced to a lack of regulations.
Fort suggested that while current thinking is beginning to change, previous approaches often prioritized the exploitation of water to provide cheap electricity and water for crops to support the booming western region. This historical view treated water as an unlimited commodity to be tamed rather than a finite resource for all inhabitants.
Evolving Environmental Standards
The symposium highlighted a shifting landscape in Western water policy. While the region has historically viewed water as an unlimited resource for industrial and agricultural use, the emergence of landmark laws like the federal Endangered Species Act represents a movement toward more regulated environmental protections.
As the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission prepares its upcoming report, the findings from the symposium underscore the tension between historical water exploitation and the modern necessity of preserving the region's aquatic ecosystems.
