Water is the foundation of thriving agriculture and resilient forests in the western U.S. Climate change and competing uses are altering patterns of water availability in the West (Schewe et al., 2014). Increased frequency and intensity of drought, including regions where drought has been uncommon in the past, combined with rapid population growth is already causing shortages in water supply and increasing conflict (Schaible and Aillery, 2012). In the face of such challenges, success stories from water-smart communities stand out, such as traditionally irrigated agriculture resilience in New Mexico (Benson et al., 2018), water marketing to extend water availability throughout the West (Schwabe et al., 2020), and multiuser coordination between agricultural, tribal, and fishery water users in Washington (Zaferatos, 2007). In these and other examples, stakeholders and researchers have worked to co-produce cutting edge science to support policy change, build strong communities, and increase agricultural productivity (Warziniak et al., 2023). Sustaining western agriculture, forests, and vibrant communities requires connections between water users, researchers, and varied stakeholders and decision makers.This WERA will build upon previous iterations of the multistate committee's efforts and will be responsive to USDA’s call and aims to engage a diverse representation of stakeholders in water resources who are faced with these complex challenges, often without an existing road map in hand.
See you in Portland!