An elected official, speaking at a state conference years ago, said fresh water would be as precious as oil some day. Cities and farmers need it to survive and grow. Without it in abundant quantities, communities wither and die.
The governor's water conference in Oklahoma City this week addressed the long-term vision for managing the state's water resources. Participants know a "good spring rain" is not part of the solution.
The state's growing demand and shrinking supplies are part of the $13 million planning process. The four-and-a-half-year effort will produce a report that aims to carry the state 50 years into the future.
Conference participants, according to the Associated Press, were trying to get their arms around such issues as public versus private ownership of water supplies, tribal sovereignty and the right of communities to sell water to other communities inside and outside of Oklahoma.
The drought that has plagued Oklahoma for months has dropped lakes to some of their lowest levels ever. Lake Thunderbird, a water supply for Norman and other central Oklahoma communities, is more than eight feet below normal.
Come spring, meetings will be held throughout the state for citizens and communities to air their concerns. They will be followed by regional meetings and then a draft plan of action.
Lawmakers put the brakes on a tribal water sale a few years ago with a moratorium. The sale of water in southeastern Oklahoma to fast-growing Texas communities was a gentle reminder that water is a shrinking resource. The drought and resulting low lake levels is the wake up call.
Editorials
State's water resources become precious as oil
- Editorials
-
-
Say no to power expansion
A heated House committee meeting last week ended in a 6-5 vote to send a bill to the floor that gives the governor power to remove and replace appointees to state agencies, boards or commissions....
-
Focus should be on water policy legislation
Oklahoma legislative leaders are pushing ahead on water policy legislation, despite the water rights lawsuit filed by American Indian tribes. We applaud Speaker Kris Steele on pushing the water proposals filed by House members....
-
Trooper replacements needed for state’s OHP
Oklahoma’s Highway Patrol has 759 troopers, with 210 eligible to retire and another 26 becoming eligible this year. They certainly won’t all choose to retire at once, but the possibility worries patrol officials. Troop strength is the ...
-
A reprieve for state bases
The Pentagon has released its plans to downsize its forces and eliminate some weapons systems funding, ships and airplanes. But a published report says the state’s five military bases will likely be spared major cuts....
-
Show them some love
Oklahoma joins bus drivers and riders throughout the nation in the “Love the Bus” campaign to raise awareness and appreciation for the thousands of school bus drivers and aides who safely transport children to and from school each day....
-
Cuts in mental health short-sighted at best
When state budgets tightened up three legislative sessions ago, mental health and substance abuse treatment appropriations amounted to low-hanging fruit. It was easy for lawmakers to reduce treatment for mental health consumers and ...
-
‘Flavor of the month’
State Republicans have invited all of the GOP presidential candidates to Oklahoma. Former candidate Herman Cain came to Oklahoma City in early December, just days after he suspended his campaign. Rick Santorum brought his charged-up ...
-
Gov. Fallin says tax cuts bring national attention
Rating agencies are often courted by state, county and local officials seeking better ratings and thus lower interest costs on long-term debt financed through bonds. Oklahoma’s governor and other officials called on various agencies this ...
-
AA’s decision a blow to Tulsa
The announcement by American Airlines that it will likely lay off almost a third of its Tulsa work force is terrible news. Looking for the bright side, the huge Tulsa maintenance facility will keep almost 70 percent of its employees ...
-
Oklahoma kids rank low
Oklahoma kids continue to rank low in terms of poverty, health, child welfare, early childhood development and hunger....
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Say no to power expansion
