(9/25/97) "Partnership" Emerges As Theme Of Urban Water Summit
In New Orleans, September 25
(9/25/97) "Partnership" Emerges As Theme Of Urban Water Summit
Over 20 mayors attending the U. S. Conference of Mayors' Urban Water Summit held a press conference today reflecting the nation's growing interest in water issues as the Clean Water Act approaches reauthorization. Mayors, their water directors and other national leaders on water issues met earlier to discuss key issues facing cities and suggest strategies for cities to work in partnership with regional, state and federal agencies and the private sector.
New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial started the press conference by claiming "partnership" as the theme of the two-day event. "We must partner with rural America if we are going to address the environmental problems affecting urban America. It is certainly clear that the issue of agricultural run-off in many parts of this nation are affecting waterways which serve as the primary source of drinking water and recreational areas for many major American cities" stated Morial. Earlier at the conference, Mayor Morial delivered a unique history of the City of New Orleans and the importance that water has played in the city's growth and development as a major port city.
Continuing on the partnership theme, Wilmington (DE) Mayor James Sills, Jr. called for national policy that would encourage "more cooperative planning among political jurisdictions with respect to improving water supplies." Mayor Sills, Co-chair of the Conference's Urban Water Council, also stated that water issues have no political boundaries and if the nation is going to deal with the problems associated with watershed management, "we must work together."
Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, Chair of the Conference's Energy and Environment Committee closed on the idea of partnership by reminding his fellow mayors that "We [mayors] must also work with the surrounding small towns, we must work with the farmers, we must work with the state governments and we must have very open and honest communication with the federal government."
One of the main priorities of the Urban Water Summit is for mayors to work on a draft of the Action Plan for Sustainable Watershed Management. The Urban Water Summit continues through Friday, September 26 in New Orleans.
CONTACT: Michael Gagliardo or Kim Peterson, (202) 293-7330.
The United States Conference of Mayors
J. Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone (202) 293-7330, FAX (202) 293-2352
Copyright © 1996, US Conference of Mayors, All rights reserved.
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