BISMARCK, N.D. – Registration is open for the 62nd annual Joint North Dakota Water Convention and Irrigation Workshop and Upper Missouri Water Association Conference Dec. 9-11 in Bismarck. The critical importance of water issues in this region is reflected in this year’s theme: “Water. Not an Option.”
“Water is not an option; it is essential to daily life for all North Dakotans,” says Mary Massad, president of the North Dakota Water Users Association. “This convention offers an opportunity for water leaders and all citizens to learn about the impacts water has on our state.”
The convention will kick off with a luncheon keynote on “Water is Life – Don’t Waste It” by Rickey Bolden, former professional football player for the Cleveland Browns and pastor with Discipleship Works in Washington, D.C. Bolden will also be the featured speaker at the prayer breakfast and will focus on “Tearing Down Walls and Building Bridges.”
“The Upper Missouri Water Association is joining us at this year’s convention, so the Missouri River will be a focus on Wednesday, Dec. 10,” says Massad. Regional water systems in South Dakota and floodwater and irrigation in Kansas will be featured. Blaine Dwyer of HDR will also focus on the lessons he’s learned in more than 40 years of water management in “The ‘SAGA’ of Western Water.”
The challenges of wetland litigation in the Prairie Pothole Region will be discussed by Jeffrey McCoy with the Pacific Legal Foundation on Thursday, Dec. 11. Convention attendees will also appreciate a discussion on sovereign lands regulation and a state of water in North Dakota from the Department of Water Resources.
An Irrigation Workshop will be held concurrently with the convention on Thursday, Dec. 11. Innovations in irrigation and the economics of irrigation and drainage will be discussed. In addition, a forum on water permits with the Department of Water Resources will be held in the afternoon. “It is important for North Dakota producers to play an active role in advancing irrigation in North Dakota,” says Steve Hansen, chairman of the North Dakota Irrigation Association. “The Irrigation Workshop is a time to connect with other producers, get updates on the industry and provide feedback to the state on the water permit process.”
The registration form, tentative agenda, and hotel information for the joint convention, irrigation workshop, and Upper Missouri Water Association conference can be found at ndwater.org/events.
Questions can be directed to Julie Ellingson, events director, at 701-223-4615 or jellingson@ndwater.net.
