"Charting New Waters: A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges" Report to Be Released Today

An alliance of businesses (Mars, Kohler, Rio Tinto and Siemens), conservation groups (World Wildlife Fund, Union of Concerned Scientists, American Rivers and Pacific Institute) and farmers (Family Farm Alliance and Soybean Growers) has formed to call for changes in the use, consumption and regulation of water.  According to a coaltion press release, the coalition's report, "Charting New Waters: A Call to Action to Address U.S. Freshwater Challenges,"  is the culmination of an intensive two year collaboration exploring solutions to U.S. freshwater challenges. It will be presented to the Obama Administration at a meeting of federal agencies convened by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) this morning (September 15), and released to the public during a forum later today at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC (The "Call to Action report can be viewed and downloaded here (PDF file) and a related press release can be found here).

The press release goes on to state that "The document is believed to be the first such comprehensive, cross sector examination of U.S. freshwater challenges and solutions. It represents consensus recommendations of diverse interests convened by The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread in Racine, Wisconsin."

In addition to signing onto the Call to Action, the parties in this initiative also reportedly have made commitments as individual organizations to take actions to address freshwater challenges. For additional information about the Call to Action, or to learn more about The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, the press release directs parties to http://www.johnsonfdn.org/chartingnewwaters for more information.