Transboundary Groundwater: Political Chess, Potential Conflict, or Cooperation Potential?

Tuesday, April 13, 2010: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tabor Auditorium (Westin Tabor Center, Denver)
Most water professionals are familiar with transboundary disputes over surface water. The media and academic journals are replete with national and international examples. Transboundary disputes associated with groundwater are less well known, yet are increasingly becoming newsworthy. For example, relevant disputes between the State of Mississippi vs. the City of Memphis, Tennessee; the Southern Nevada Water Authority vs. the State of Utah; and crossjurisdictional tools such as the UN Law of Transboundary Aquifers are front page news. These disputes involve more than quantity, quality, and distribution with participation from many scientific disciplines, special interest groups, and the public. With water being used for political power and control, it is imperative to share dialogue about lessons learned and issues raised. The Transboundary Ground Water Interest Group desires a forum for these unique disputes. Presentations represent scientific as well as socio-economic, ecological, and governance disciplines related to transboundary groundwater.
Moderator:
Transboundary Ground Water Interest Group
4:20 p.m.
The UN ILC Draft Articles on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers
Shaminder Puri, International Assoc. of Hydrogeologists
4:40 p.m.
Collaboration in the Palouse Ground Water Basin
Robin E. Nimmer, Ph.D., TerraGraphics Environmental Engineering Inc.; Dale Ralston, Ph.D., P.E, P.G., Ralston Hydrogeologic Services; Steve Robischon, University of Idaho
See more of: Topical Sessions