As part of its 60th Anniversary celebrations, Los Alamos National Laboratory is sponsoring the forum, "Water, Drought and New Mexico," beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Hotel. Los Alamos researchers and other noted climate scientists, state officials and members of the scientific, environmental and water policy communities will present their research, and talk about current water and drought issues.
After presentations by climate researchers and Paul Saavedra, chief of the Water Rights Division at the State Engineer's Office, a panel discussion will begin at 10:40 a.m. The public and the media are welcome to take part in the panel discussion.
"Water and drought are major issues for New Mexico, for our future quality of life and for economic growth," said Everett Springer of Los Alamos' Earth and Environmental Sciences Division, coordinator for Wednesday's program.
"We hope to demonstrate to the people of New Mexico what Los Alamos National Laboratory is doing in the area of water and how the Lab's scientific capability can be applied to help policy makers better manage our water resources," Springer said.
One goal of the meeting is to show how science is used in formulating policy. A wide range of participants was invited to help the public see how water issues cut across the key concerns of so many different and important interest groups, Springer added.
Among the participants is University of Arizona professor Soroosh Sorooshian, a fellow of the National Academy of Engineering and member of several international panels on global climate change. Sorooshian has been working with Los Alamos researchers and others on models of water use and drought patterns in the Rio Grande basin. The agenda for the meeting follows:
AGENDA - "WATER, DROUGHT AND NEW MEXICO"
8:30-8:45 Welcome 8:45 - 9:05 Science Vision Soroosh Sorooshian 9:05 - 9:25 Global modeling context Phil Jones, LANL 9:25 - 9:45 Regional modeling of the Rio Grande Keeley Costigan, LANL 9:45 - 10:05 Española Basin Modeling Elizabeth Keating, LANL 10:05 - 10:20 Break 10:20 - 10:40 Water Policy in New Mexico Paul Saavedra 10:40 - 12 Panel discussion on the Intersection of Panel Members Water Science and Water Policy * Nature Conservancy Gary Bell * PNM Marc Christensen * New Mexico Business Alliance Eileen Grevey-Hillson * University of New Mexico David Brookshire * University of Arizona Soroosh Sorooshian * New Mexico State Engineer Paul Saavedra
Each panel member will provide a 5-minute overview and then discussion will start.
Noon Meeting adjourns
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from the Earth and Environmental Science (
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.