ATTENTION: Agricultural and Science & Technology Writers

14 May 2001
Contact: Robert Ashe
(510) 643-1041
robert.ashe@nature.berkeley.edu

WHAT:
"Scarcity and Regulation: The Future Course of Water in Agricultural California, " a seminar on pressing water issues that face agriculture in the Salinas and Central valleys. Seawater intrusion, agricultural runoff, salinity and regulation are among the topics to be discussed.

A predictive framework for the likely future course for water politics in the area will be produced at the seminar, which is being hosted by the University of California, Berkeley's College of Natural Resources. Innovative water technologies that are assisting farmers to better cope with increasing scarcity and regulation will be showcased.

WHEN:
Thursday, 12-2 p.m., May 17.

WHERE:
The Steinbeck Center
One Main Street, Salinas, Calif.

WHO:
Speakers will include:

o Michael Hanemann, professor, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley. Haneman is a specialist in the economics of water, urban demand for water, water supply and economy growth, water benefit-cost analysis, irrigation demand, the impact of surface water law and institutions, salinity, drainage and groundwater management.

o David Sunding, co-director of UC Berkeley's Center for Sustainable Resource Development and an associate cooperative extension specialist in the College of Natural Resources' Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics. Sunding's does research on topics including water resources, technology development and adoption, endangered species, pesticide regulation, land use, and law and policy analysis.