Full story link: http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0371.04.html Release No. 0371.04 Julie Quick (202) 720-4623 Marti Asner (202) 720-8188 USDA TO HOLD AGRICULTURAL WATER SECURITY LISTENING SESSION WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2004-Agriculture Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Joseph Jen said today that USDA will host a listening session on agricultural water security September 9-10, 2004, in Park City, Utah. The session seeks to identify potential solutions to issues arising from increasing demands for a limited supply of water resources in the United States. "Drought is affecting every state in the Nation," said Jen. "We want to identify innovative solutions to issues of water supply, management, and distribution across many uses including agriculture. The session also will help enhance our partnerships with other federal and state agencies and the public and private sector in our efforts to protect and improve the Nation's water resources." About 70 representatives from federal laboratories and agencies, universities and tribal colleges, water conservancy districts, nonprofit groups, cities and municipalities, and the Western Governors Association have been invited to participate in the listening session. Six key themes have been identified for discussion: drought risk assessment and preparedness, general water conservation, irrigation efficiency, water marketing, rural and urban water reuse, and biotechnology. For additional information about the listening session, contact Mike O'Neill at (202) 205-5952 or Dale Bucks at (301) 504-7034. # USDA News oc.news@xxxxxxxx 202 720-4623 ---------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to oc.news@xxxxxxxx and reference your email address.
