ILWA Issues: Colorado River — An interdisciplinary faculty discussion

On October 10, the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Air, and Water hosted an ILWA Issues luncheon focused on the Colorado River. Brian Steed, executive director for the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Air, and Water, and Linda Nagel, dean of the S.J and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, led the discussion.

Steed provided an overview of why the discussion on the Colorado River is important, as he explained that Utah State University can maintain a place in the conversation and influence policy made on the river by providing data and research. Anna McEntire, managing director of the institute, explained how ILWA is supporting solutions-oriented journalism by providing funds to journalists to go to the source of the issue and connect them with researchers.

The Center for Colorado River Studies, USU’s most notable avenue for river-related change, was a main topic of discussion. Jack Schmidt, the center’s founder, said the goal for the future of the center is to “make it something broader”. Right now that means to focus on shaping what the center does and getting community investment and buy-in.

The discussion also touched on USU as a land grant university. The university is a resource for the state and exists in-part to answer research questions for policymakers and other decision-makers. The conversation ultimately focused on how to keep USU as a relevant player in decisions made about the river, and how to maintain momentum within the Center for Colorado River Studies. The group committed to meeting twice a semester to be able to best address the issues surrounding the Colorado River and to provide whatever information and help the university can.