By Bill Robinson
Four years ago, at the 61st Arizona Diocesan Convention, The Council for Creation Care submitted a water conservation resolution that was unanimously approved in both orders. As the resolution stated, congregations were offered the option to take actions that include one or more of the following:
1. The indoor stuff (like faucets, toilets, etc.) is the cheapest and easiest “fix” to deal with water savings but has the least impact. The most meaningful impact comes from a comprehensive outdoor water management program. ALL water suppliers have available stats that show that outdoor water lawns, ornamentals, etc. generate almost 70% of the water usage, in both churches and homes. Statewide, our biggest water user is agriculture. Unfortunately, with only 64 churches, we cannot expect to fix enough leaky faucets to offset Arizona’s water shortage.
Many believe that water usage and its relationship to population growth is the biggest physical and cultural issue in the American West. Simply stated, a disastrous 22-year drought has reduced water supplies, and an equally vigorous 22-year surge in population has increased water demand exponentially.
The unanimously approved water resolution developed by the Council for Creation Care was a step in the right direction but, as Councils, as a Diocese, and as a Church, we have a long way to go. Creation Care has worked closely with the Council for Native American Ministries from the very beginning, as we share multiple overlapping issues. Both Councils have a responsibility to continue to deal with water wisely and aggressively. This should NOT be a back-burner issue. Both Councils have economic, health, and sustainability issues that relate to water. To that end Creation Care has put together a symposium that will not only inform us but, hopefully, inspire us to seriously work out solutions to “The Trouble with Water.”
Water was first brought to our attention by Native Americans organizing the Dakota Access Pipeline protest. The denial of Native sovereignty commonly results in the appropriation and destruction of lands, water, and sacred sites. Remember the rallying cry of the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters? “Water is Life.” Someone get me the tee shirt, please.
There are at least five different “positions” on water in Arizona: 1. State Government policy, legislation, laws, and history. 2. Federal Government policy, legislation, laws, and history. 3. Numerous Alphabet Agency positions (CAP, SRP, Interior, BIA, Dept. of AG.) 4. State Dept. of Ag. 5. Native American tribal regulations, allotments, culture, and spirituality. The symposium will have top-rated speakers for each category.
We are honored to have Dr. Jerry Delli Pricoli as our Keynote speaker. Jerry is the recently retired Water Policy Director from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Chief US Negotiator in foreign water disputes. Most recently Jerry has worked on equitable water distribution projects on the Columbia River System, the Jordan River in the Middle East, and for Vatican City in Rome. For many years Jerry has lectured at Harvard, Tufts, Georgetown, and other Universities. A look back on Dr. Delli Priscoli’s tenure tells the story of a career devoted to international water issues and environmental ethics. In 1995, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, created by Delli Priscoli, received the first Hammer award for efficiency in government from Vice President Gore. Dr. Delli Priscoli is also the recipient of the 2005 Icko Iben Award for achievement in cross disciplinary communications in water, which is presented annually by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA). He has worked extensively with the World Bank, UNESCO, WHO, and many other international organizations. As a principal advocate of the USACE transformation toward open administration, Delli Priscoli was ahead of his time in many respects.
During his time with USACE, Delli Priscoli was involved in several multilateral negotiations concerning water resources. Delli Priscoli was honored to be part of the founding of the World Water Council (WWC), and the World Water Forums, and to design and run the process that created the Global Water Partnership (GWP) at the time. These activities in turn led to significant engagements of the USACE Chiefs, ASA, and senior executives in fora where USACE contributed its vast experiences while learning from others in dealing with water resources worldwide.
Mark Killian was the Arizona Director of Agriculture. Killian assumed office on April 10, 2015. Killian left office on January 2, 2023. Mr. Killian was born in Mesa, Arizona, and served previously as the director of the Arizona Department of Revenue, as well as served 14 years in the Arizona State Legislature. He has been a licensed commercial real estate broker for over 32 years, specializing in the management of commercial real estate. He also is involved in family farming and ranching enterprises, overseeing the stewardship of 1,700 acres of Arizona farmland. He chairs both the Green Reservoir Flood Control District and the Santa Cruz River Alliance and has served on the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) from 2010 to 2015.
Kenneth Steel is the Director of Healthy Communities Initiatives at Pinnacle Prevention, a Chandler, AZ-based non-profit dedicated to cultivating a just food system and creating opportunities for joyful movement. Kenneth has worked on federal, state, and local food systems and active living policy and advocacy in Arizona since 2013. He works with individuals and organizations as they take the next step on their public policy journey. Kenneth holds a Masters in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center.
DeEtte Person, Communicator Central Arizona Project. Status of the Colorado River Canals and recent decisions to restrict water to certain agricultural users.
The Rev. Steven Keplinger: The Saudi Arabian theft of Arizona land and water
There will also be talks by Native American tribal leaders from tribes above and below the Mogollon Rim. Tribal access to Arizona water has been restricted for years. However, that process is changing. It will be interesting how fast that will be happening.
This will be an interesting day. If you haven’t already registered for the symposium. There’s no charge, but spaces are limited. Lunch is provided.
