Alternatives to Fightin' Over Water

By Steve Mossman, Groundwater Foundation Board Member

When I was a year out of law school, I authored a law review article for the Creighton Law Review about Nebraska’s first integrated water management law with the subtitle  “Whiskey is for Drinkin’ and Water is for Fightin’ About”.  Nearly two decade later that subtitle is still accurate.  I am currently involved in a water dispute that has been ongoing for 6½ years with a third appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court pending. 

The different approach to groundwater taken by the Groundwater Foundation is one of the many reasons why I am proud to have completed a year of service on its Board. Instead of fighting about groundwater, the Groundwater Foundation believes in a collaborative approach to educating and protecting our very lifeblood.

Through programs like the Groundwater Guardian recognizing communities that promote groundwater awareness and its companion Green Sites recognizing  green space stewardship efforts, the Groundwater Foundation focuses on what can bring communities together. And, the Groundwater Foundation has always been focused on youth, educating our next generation on the importance of protecting and preserving groundwater through such innovative teaching tools as our new Water1der Mobile App.

While it may be instinctive to fight about a precious resource it is often more productive to seek solutions through a collaborative, community based approach. Currently the Groundwater Foundation and its excellent staff is concentrating on its 2013 National Conference titled “Tools for Groundwater Sustainability: Working Together to Meet the Challenge”.  I would invite you to Howey-in-the-Hills outside of Orlando, Florida to attend the Conference.  Registration information is available here: http://www.groundwater.org/get-informed/opportunities/conference.html.

Let’s work together on the important mission of the Groundwater Foundation.