Water Research Institute to Revise Oklahoma Water Plan

By David Page

In 1974, the Oklahoma Legislature approved a measure to develop a 50-year strategic plan to manage water resources.

The Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan was published in 1980 and updated in 1997. Last year, the Legislature approved funding for the second update of the plan – a process expected to take five years.

Initial research on the plan will be conducted by the Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute, commonly known as WRI, at Oklahoma State University. WRI received a $1.3 million contract from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to begin research on the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan’s update.

The initial plan and the 1997 update included long-range projections of statewide water use. The new study will provide a more detailed strategy, which is needed because of increased water usage and competition for supplies.

WRI will focus on research and stakeholder participation and will contribute an estimated $1.5 million of in-kind services, which increases project funding to $2.8 million when combined with the Oklahoma Water Resource Board’s $1.3 million.

One of 54 state and territorial water research institutes in the country, WRI will work with its Water Research Advisory Board. The board includes representatives of 19 water resource agencies and organizations in Oklahoma.

“WRI and its partners have developed a unique approach that we expect will result in a plan that is both well-informed and enjoys broad public support,” said Will Focht, WRI director.

In addition to WRI and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, other project participants include the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma Association of Regional Councils of Government, Oklahoma Municipal League, Oklahoma Academy for State Goals and The State Chamber.

The process will be conducted in five phases. All reports, records of discussion, meeting schedules and agendas will be posted at www.okwaterplan.info.

Phase one will include 40 listening sessions across the state in 2007 to define the agenda for the planning process. Phase two consists of 11 regional meetings in 2008 to consolidate local issues into categories and discuss priorities.

Phase three, scheduled in late 2008 and early 2009, will include 36 planning workshops to develop alternative strategies for water management over the next 50 years. Phase four consists of a three- day town hall meeting in 2009 to discuss issues and strategies to reach a consensus on recommendations for the water plan.

After the first four phases, WRI will develop a draft water plan. Phase five will include a series of 11 regional meetings in late 2009 to gather responses to the draft and suggestions for plan implementation.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board will use information from the five phases to prepare the final water plan due in 2010.

“This is a great opportunity for the people of Oklahoma to come together and discuss an issue of great importance to the future of our state,” said Mike Langston, WRI assistant director.

(c) 2007 Journal Record – Oklahoma City. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.