KU conference to explore Kansas water issues Oct. 24

LAWRENCE -- The Kansas Economic Policy Conference Oct. 24 at the University of Kansas will consider the role of water in the state's economy.

Topics at the annual conference in the Kansas Union will include a history of water's role in the development of Kansas; current water policy, management and problems; water availability for agriculture in the west and increased growth in the east; the struggle between private property rights and public use; and the effects of water availability, quality and management on community growth and economic development in the future.

Featured presenters:

 • Donald Worster, the Joyce and Elizabeth Hall professor of U.S. history at KU, on "The Waters of Kansas, Past and Present"

 • Earl Lewis, civil engineer and manager of the Hydrology and Evaluation Unit of the Kansas Water Office, on "Development to Management: The Changing Water Supply and Policy of Kansas"

 • David Traster, special counsel with Foulston Siefkin LLP in Wichita, on "Business as Usual or a New Paradigm: Do We Need a Fundamental Change?"

 • James Gulliford, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 administrator, keynote luncheon address

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Gov. Kathleen Sebelius are invited guests.

The featured speakers will be joined by panels of experts in water policy and management, community development, agriculture and industry, and environmental and rural issues. The day's sessions will be summarized in a wrap-up by Karl Brooks, assistant professor of history and environmental studies at KU and three-term Idaho state senator.

Information and registration are available at www.kuce.org/programs/kepc; by phone: (785) 864-KUCE (5823) or toll free (877) 404-KUCE (5823); or through e-mail: kuce@ku.edu

The conference is presented by the Policy Research Institute and Continuing Education at KU and is sponsored by the League of Kansas Municipalities.