Officials pursue water conservation at meeting

PARK CITY, Utah — The old quip in the West that whiskey’s for drinkin’ and water’s for fightin’ is a tired cliché by now but still rings true.

Only these days, there’s more people with a stake in the water fight and a dwindling supply to go around.

Quenching the growing demand for water in the warming West will require a bigger push for conservation, innovative technology and a rethinking of supply and demand, Western governors and water experts said Sunday.

About 600 people gathered in Park City for the first day of the Western Governors’ Association meeting.

The three-day meeting focuses on key issues that affect states throughout the West, including water use, climate change and energy. This year, with several Cabinet members from the Obama administration and a record attendance, the political landscape has shifted and there’s a renewed urgency for swapping ideas and working together, attendees said.

“This is kind of where it all begins,” said Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, WGA’s outgoing chairman.

The governors approved several resolutions Sunday, including one calling for a national policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Global warming poses a serious threat to the Western economy, public health and environment,” the resolution said.

Sunday’s main discussion, which included Canadian officials and experts from the Middle East and Australia, focused on managing water amid changing climate conditions.

“As governors and premiers of the West, we’re all challenged by this,” said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter.