Improving the Federal Response to Western Drought

Experts discussed the role of the federal government in western water and drought management, with a focus on how it can strengthen its partnership with states to better manage drought today and in a warmer, possibly drier, future.

Date

Feb. 3, 2016

Time

12:45–2:00 p.m. ET

Participants

Yusuke Kuwayama, Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount, Ann Mills, Mark Kramer, and Tom Iseman

Event Series

Workshop

Event Details

An RFF First Wednesday Seminar in collaboration with the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC)

California and much of the American West have experienced moderate to extreme levels of drought in recent years. The resulting water scarcity has affected urban and agricultural users throughout the region and has stressed ecosystems and the fish and wildlife that depend on them. While drought management can involve all levels of government, the federal government in particular has a unique set of policy tools that can help communities prepare for and minimize the impact of droughts.

At this RFF First Wednesday Seminar, experts discussed the role of the federal government in western water and drought management, with a focus on how it can strengthen its partnership with states to better manage drought today and in a warmer, possibly drier, future. The event featured a presentation by Ellen Hanak, director of the PPIC Water Policy Center, who will discuss the center’s new report, Improving the Federal Response to Western Drought: Five Areas for Reform.

Event Video

Topics

Water Resources

Participants

Yusuke Kuwayama

Fellow

Yusuke Kuwayama is a fellow at RFF and an assistant professor in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Ellen Hanak

Jeffrey Mount

Ann Mills

Mark Kramer

Tom Iseman

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