04/16/07 Governor Otter's water summit

Governor Butch Otter will be in Burley tomorrow for his summit on water issues. Also there will be the people the governor has invited to help solve some of the issues that the state faces. Will issues be resolved at Tuesday's meeting? Not likely say most of the observers. However, Norm Semanko of the Idaho Water Users Association says there may be venting and positioning but before the day is over there will be progress. SEMANKO "I think there is a lot of good will going into the process. What remains to be seen is if there is a middle ground that we can reach that works for everyone going forward." 18 people will participate in all of the discussions in Burley. Another group is seated on the perimeter with still others invited to sit and listen to it all. Governor Otter says he hopes to reach one goal tomorrow. OTTER "If we can just put sideboards on the principles under which they're going to debate and discuss our water management plan then I think my part will be successful." Open meetings from 9AM to noon, again from 330 to 5PM. In between there will be caucuses and private discussions between the governor, interim Water Resources Director David Tuthill and summit attendees. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott