OMG! I went to the conference Gimleteye's Guest Blogger mentions in the post above! by Geniusofdespair

Coincidence? I think not. It is too important a subject to ignore. So come on, get smart on water issues, the natural resource of this century.

Seibert said we really must stop building houses without solar collectors and cisterns. People have to change.

I heard Steve Seibert speak November 16th at a breakfast called: Working Water Solutions. Seibert was a Pinellas County Commissioner during the period of time known as the "Water Wars of Tampa Bay". His bio says: "He was instrumental in providing the leadership necessary to help move the region from confrontation to collaboration." Seibert was head of the Department of Community Affairs (State Dept. in charge of Growth Management). Today he is a mediator, and the Executive Director the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida.

I take crappy notes but I am all you have, this is what he sort of said:

They needed regional visioning and problems solving in the context of the Tampa Bay water wars in the early part of the 90’s. There was a multi year drought and an explosion of population and of sprawl with much environmental damage going on. There was not a single drop of new water being developed. He said it is very important to find common ground: Giving up something to gain something greater. What finally worked in Tampa was a massive 15 billion gallon reservoir.

He spoke of 5 elements of success (these I messed up a bit):

1 Meaning. The principal solution need to be able to be explained. Effective policy needs effective communication.

2. Shine an analytical light of truth. Insist on using objective criteria based on solid foundations. For example, learning that a desalination plant would be allowed when they held the assumption I wouldn’t be.

3. Interject a new perspective. New players give a new vision. They created a fund for water supply sources. Business leaders helped out. Crafted a billion dollar deal.

4. Exercise power to convene. He used the example of Roosevelt...not seeking justice but only a solution by getting everyone to the table.

5. Humanity. He stressed an open heart, open mind. Respect for others. Not getting diverted by ego.

The goal we should now have is to create a sustainable Florida. Inter-generational. Florida will become a second tier state in a second tier nation if we don't take a long view.

He said we need to strike a blow with need management. This part I found very interesting (are you listening Lennar):

He said we really must stop building houses without solar collectors and cisterns. People have to change.

On the Georgia/Alabama/Florida water war we are in now: He said there was a lack of forethought. Georgia had a terrible lack of infrastructure for its growth. The states should have had this conversation about water 10 years ago.