 Turner Falls near Davis, OK
We are weeks away from the 2023 Governor’s Water Conference and the OCWP Round 2 regional meetings! We can’t wait to see you! Download our presentation slides from Round 1 meetings here.
Round 2 meetings will be held on the following dates and locations. Meetings are scheduled from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. While anyone may attend, we request participation from local officials, water utility suppliers, regulated industry, commercial agricultural producers, economic development entities, and representing organizations.
▪ December 5 | NW - Panhandle State University, Student Union Ballroom | 323 Eagle Blvd., Goodwell, OK
▪ December 11 | SW - Cameron University, McMahon Centennial Complex, McAsland Ballroom | 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton, OK
▪ December 12 | SE - Kiamichi Technology Center, Conference Room A/B | 13739 SE 202nd Rd., Talihina, OK
▪ December 13 | NE - Cherokee Chota Center | 3307 Seven Clans Ave., Tahlequah, OK
▪ December 14 | Central - Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Portland Campus | 3500 NW 150th St., Oklahoma City, OK
▪ Virtual meeting December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join Here
Each meeting will follow the same agenda:
▪ Provide an OCWP update including a recap of comments we heard at the Round 1 meetings
▪ Facilitate three concurrent breakout sessions. In each session we will work with attendees to identify specific actions or topics that represent the next best steps toward addressing challenges in the following areas:
1. Permitting / Regulations / Policy – production well setback? limiting dedicated acres contiguous to production well? greater enforcement of existing rules? etc.
2. Collaboration / Partnership – regional planning, encouraging best management practices, etc.
3. Funding / Financing – improvements to existing and/or new program ideas, etc.
▪ Provide summary of each breakout group’s discussion
▪ Discuss upcoming OCWP activities.
For those unable to attend in person, a virtual meeting will be held on December 14, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Join the Teams meeting using this link.
OWRB is a proud sponsor of the Master Irrigators' Program (MIP) and its Mobile Irrigation Laboratory which is providing access to efficiency audits and application testing using real irrigation equipment to the next generation of irrigator experts. OSU graduate students perform system audits. The MIP program teaches producers how to get the most out of their high-tech equipment so they save even more water, save more fuel, and save more money while maximizing outputs and ROI! And makes everyone better soil and irrigation scientists to boot! The MIP is funded through OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Oklahoma Water Resources Center, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced the following funding opportunities.
▪ Title XVI WIIN Act Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects - Eligible activities include planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse facilities. The funding opportunity announcement R23AS00464 is available by clicking here. The first application period due date is December 7, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., and a second application period due date is September 30, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
▪ Desalination Construction Projects Under the WINN Act - Eligible activities include planning, design, and construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater. The funding opportunity announcement R23AS00465 is available by clicking here. The first application period due date is December 7, 2023 at 5:00 p.m., and a second application period due date is September 30, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
▪ Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects - Eligible activities include planning, design, and construction of small surface water and groundwater storage facilities. The funding opportunity announcement R24AS00010 is available by clicking here. Applications are due November 30, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
November 8-9, the Oka’ Institute will host OKA CON 2023 Uniting for Water: A Collaborative Approach to Integrated Water Resource Management (formerly known as the SustainabilityConference) in Ada. This conference aims to bring together experts from various fields to discuss the challenges and opportunities in integrated water resource management. Keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive sessions will explore topics such as sustainable water management, innovative technologies, and policy frameworks.
The 2023 Oklahoma Governor’s Water Conference & Research Symposium will be held November 29-30 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Norman. Current water issues and policies will be discussed by state, federal, and local experts. The Student Research Water Poster Competition, held concurrently, offers students from any institution of higher learning in Oklahoma the opportunity to share research or extension/outreach topics related to water resources in Oklahoma. Register here!
Several Oklahoma Well Owners Network well testing events are occurring in November and December. Check out their website for more information.
 We hope that you will come to the Round 2 regional meetings so that we can continue learning and sharing about the diverse challenges across our state. Remember, nothing as complex as water gets solved in one meeting. We need your experience and perspective in order to develop actions and move toward solutions together. In the meantime, I hope to see you at the Governor’s Water Conference in Norman on November 28-29 – please come find me at the conference or contact me in advance to set up a time to talk while we’re there! Get Registered!
Best regards to each and every one of you,
Owen Mills | Director of Water Planning Oklahoma Water Resources Board 405.530.8904 Office | 405.421.4127 Cell Owen.mills@owrb.ok.gov |
