2015 Dividing the Waters Conference
Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, Washington
October 14-17, 2015
Established Water Rights and Changing Conditions
Pre-Conference Webinar (Lunchtime, September 25): Water Law 101
Wednesday, October 14
5:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception
(Gonzaga University School of Law)
Rachael Paschal Osborn, Presentation on Spokane River/Coeur D’Alene Basin
Thursday, October 15
Emerging Water Conflicts in Changing Conditions
Washington: Water Agency Decisions in a Time of Drought, Growth, and Changing Needs
 The Water Conflicts Headed to the Courts
 Administrative and Judicial Appeals from Agency Decision-Making
 Challenges on Judicial Review: complex science, intersecting state and federal laws
The California Dilemma:
Grafting Groundwater & Surface Water Rights
 California’s New Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and Recent Legal Developments
 State and Local Agencies Managing Groundwater
 Courts as the Final Arbiter
Science for Judges:
Groundwater Hydrology and Fishery Biology
 Experience the Challenge of Hearing – and Deciding – on Expert Science Testimony
o Experienced Water Judges Will Examine Two Experts, on Hydrology & Biology
o Participants Will Deliberate and Decide How to Use Science in a Mock Decision
 The Experts: Dr. Thomas Harter (UC Davis) and Dr. Jack Stanford (U. of Montana)
Friday, October 16
Field Day in the Spokane River and Coeur D’Alene Basin
Visit Key Sites Where Water Conflicts Arise and Talk to Local Water Managers
 City of Spokane Groundwater Extraction Facilities
 Groundwater-River-Power Connections
 Roundtable Discussion of Coeur D’Alene Basin Water
Conference Dinner – Keynote Speaker: Stanford Law Professor Barton “Buzz” Thompson
“Changing Course: Ensuring that Water Law is Resilient in the Face of Radical Change”
Saturday, October 17
Interstate and International Water Conflict Resolution
Interstate Water Conflict Resolution
 Comparing Supreme Court Litigation, Interstate Compacts, and Interstate Agreements
International Water Conflict Resolution –1964 Columbia River Treaty, 50 Years Later
 Successes/Shortcomings, Updating the Treaty, Emerging Issues, Differing Perspectives
Conclusion:
Framing the Questions and Answers to Take Back to Your Colleagues