The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Water Working Group joined together for the group’s third meeting July 15 in Oklahoma City.
OKFB members representing all nine OKFB districts gathered to hear from guest speakers, learn about legal and regulatory frameworks, and discuss upcoming policy action surrounding water rights.
Members began their morning hearing from Travis Tripp, Oklahoma Conservation Commission land management director, and Dan Dvorett, Oklahoma Conservation Commission technical programs director. Tripp and Dvorett shared a presentation on the Terry Peach Watershed Restoration Program, along with updates on their Red Cedar fire management program.
Rep. Carl Newton of Cherokee joined with the group to discuss his water legislation from the previous Oklahoma legislative sessions.
Members also heard from two surrounding state Farm Bureaus on their water issues, including Kent Askren, Kansas Farm Bureau public policy director and water resource specialist; Jarvis Garestson, Kansas Farm Bureau member and irrigator; Jay Bragg, Texas Farm Bureau Association director of commodity and regulatory activities; and Robert Gordon, Texas Farm Bureau member and irrigator.
Members closed out the meeting with a roundtable discussion on current and upcoming water rights issues.
The OKFB Water Working Group was created by the OKFB Board of Directors and aids in providing input to the board regarding water rights issues in the areas of regulation and policy.
