Blog Archives - BWTL

Episode 10 - Current Events

11/18/2016

Episode Highlights:

[1:00] Catching up - John, Brent and Elizabeth are together again. The first 6+minutes of this episode contain personal opinions and reactions to the recent election.
[6:24] John's follow-up to last week's episode - Last week's episode came right after the election and we've learned additional details since then.
- President-elect Trump's children will not be serving in his administration but will instead be managing the Trump business under a blind trust.
- Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner may have a senior role in the White House.
- Transition is in still in flux as they work to fill 4000 positions.
[8:44] Less regulation, more power in the states - A Trump administration will likely move away from the current regulatory environment.
- Clean Water Act - As signaled during the campaign, the Trump administration will most likely throw out the controversial Waters of the Unites States/Clean Water Rule (currently held up in the courts) and end the expansion of the federal government's role.
- WaterSense - Trump has stated he'll let the states run the EPA, which leaves the future of programs like WaterSense uncertain.
[11:33] Climate Change - John, Brent and Elizabeth discuss the incoming administration's views on climate change vs. what the Obama administration has focused on these last 8 years.
- How could having climate change skeptics in the administration affect water and water-use?
[16:14] It's a Lame-Duck Session - What will happen with the Water Resources Development Act?
- With Republicans still in control of both chambers and now the presidency, there likely won't be much political will to get something done this year. However, some still see it happening.
- Next year, a Trump administration may support an increase in infrastructure spending, which could include water infrastructure.
[19:38] Water sharing in AZ-NV-CA - John shares an article about the drought on the Colorado River and how it is leading to an idea about water sharing.
- Ensuring water availability during times of drought.
- For these three states, "the cooperation springs from self-preservation. If Lake Mead drops too low, the federal government could step in and reallocate the water."
[24:37] The southern drought continues - With parts of MS, AL, GA, TN and NC in exceptional drought, we are starting to see some of the severe effects of this drought.
- There are around 30 wildfires in the south with little rain in the forecast.

Episode 9 - Election Recap

11/9/2016

The Rust Belt States - Net increase in vote margin (from USA Today)

Overview of voting coalitions and Trump's current electoral count of 290

Episode Highlights

This episode was recorded Wednesday, November 9.
[1:55] What went wrong in the polls? - One the first opinions about what when wrong is that polls missed the silent Trump supporter.
[3:15] Folks want something different - People do not want the same in Washington, DC. They desire change and this was evident in the rust belt states.
- This was seen with Pennsylvania going red for the first since 1988.
[5:07] Congress - Republicans maintain control
- Paul Ryan will likely win speakership again.
- Republicans did lose two seats in the Senate - now 51-48 with a runoff election scheduled for Louisiana.
- Lame duck session coming up - what will get done? Not much.
[7:20] The Transition - President-elect Trump must start working to fill position within his administration.
- When this was recorded, NJ Governor Chris Christie was leading transition team. Now, IN Governor and VP-elect, Mike Pence, is leading transition.
- Environmental Protection Agency - under the Trump administration, there will undoubtedly be a new perspective of EPA's role. Myron Ebell is leading the transition at the EPA and he is a climate change skeptic.
- Interior Department - transition is headed up by former department solicitor general for George W. Bush, David Bernhardt, so a Washington insider.
- [11:32] Department of Agriculture - John reviews names being tossed around for secretary including Sid Miller from Texas.
[13:09] The First 100 Days - What do we have to look forward to in the first 100 days?
- Trump wants to "drain the swamp" of the Washington insiders and he has proposed freezing all hiring of federal employees.
- Immigration will be a priority - with a focus on deporting illegal immigrants that have committed crimes.
- Trade activities - Trump will likely reopen and renegotiate NAFTA.
- Fill the Supreme Court vacancy.
[17:40] EPA and other programs - The EPA's WaterSense program, the enforcement of the Endangered Species Act and conservation programs in the Farm Bill may be treated much differently under a Trump administration.

Episode 8 - Irrigation Industry

11/2/2016

Jackie (Jay) W.D. Robbins, II, PE, TSP, CAIS, CID
President, Irrigation-Mart, Inc.

Episode Highlights

[1:59] Special guest Jay Robbins - Jay is the current president of theIrrigation Association.
- While he volunteers with the association, Jay's real job is as president ofIrrigation-Mart, a distribution company that sells irrigation equipment.
[3:15] The drought situation - Many are familiar with the Western drought but we are also seeing drought in the Southeast (see drought monitor from October 25, 2016, below).
- The Irrigation Association will again be hosting a Drought Summit at the annual Irrigation Show and Education Conference.
[9:20] Discussion about work of the Irrigation Association - During Jay's tenure as president the association as been busy engaging with those working in the irrigation industry.
- The association organized agriculture listening sessions to bring the agriculture community together to find out how the association can better support that segment of the industry.
- Issues facing the ag irrigation industry include the availability of water, labor, and education and training.
[12:51] Regardless of where you live, many of the same concerns exist - the irrigation industry is facing many issues and has been able to work together on solutions.
[14:26] Highlights of the Irrigation Show and Education Conference - for this year's show , IA is co-locating with the National Ground Water Association.
- Education opportunities.
- The promotion of new product ideas and new products through the Pitcher's Mound and the New Product Contest
[19:10] Irrigation technologies and how they are used - the decision on what type of irrigation technology to use is dependent on numerous variables. Jay discusses the different types of irrigation and why farmers may choose to use a specific type:
- Surface Irrigation
- Drip/Micro Irrigation
- Sprinkler Irrigation
[26:44] Trying to help growers improve on-farm efficiency - irrigation has a role to play in creating greater returns, whether higher yield or higher quality.

Current Drought Monitor

Types of Irrigation