Transcript

David Getches/John Keys/Kay Brothers: Set a large table, and expect everybody to stay there until the problem is solved

Host: A lot of people are saying we need to bring different people together to a great big table where everyone can pull chairs up. Is that realistic? How do we get those people there? Is there a next step to take? Can it happen?

Getches: Well, it's realistic, [but] it's difficult and painful. I know that John has dealt with the Cal-Fed process, and talk about difficult! There, all parties are at the table. It is neither a pleasant nor conclusive engagement but it's what we have to do at the big watershed level. At a more pleasant level, you see hundreds and hundreds of smaller watersheds where people are coming together and solving these problems. I think it is realistic to set a large table and expect everyone stay there until the problem is solved.

Host: You folks are nodding your heads and I know you mostly come from different areas. You must know what it's going to take to bring the people in each of your regions, each of your states, to that table and you know who the players are.

Keys: Well, I think that it goes even further than just the states you are talking about. Our Secretary of Interior [Gale Norton] has been preaching since she's been there about the four C's: communication, co-operation and collaboration, all in the name of conservation. And conservation of water is the part that Reclamation plays in that whole process. And the process that I just described -- [the one] she pushes -- is what we're talking about here. You can't do things in a vacuum, you just can't do it.

Host: How do we keep things from always ending up in court and having that be where these discussions take place?

Keys: Start early.

Brothers: I think that is how you keep them from going to court -- you get everyone together and start discussing the issues before the lawsuits are filed, basically. I know that there are many examples you can name. The Las Vegas Wash Co-ordination Committee is 28 local, state, and federal agencies that have come together and have a plan for the Las Vegas Wash in my area. Another example is the Mexico issue, Minute 306, and the federal commitment to try to start a process to look at Mexico's needs and claims on the Colorado. That's bringing a number of states and other governmental and non-governmental organizations to the table. So these things are starting. It takes a lot of time, a lot of patience, but they are starting.

Host: Are we looking at dealing with what is in place now or do we need some sort of a revolution to infuse that energy and bring those people together?

Brothers: I think the revolution is occurring because people are speaking out, the issues are being talked about, and things are being done to try to meet some these needs. So I think we are in that process. As I said, 10 years ago we might not have discussed this but it's being discussed in the municipalities and the federal government. They are trying to start this collaboration.

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