Scott Haskins facilitates strategic planning meeting as Nick Costanzo looks on.
I attended both days of the PSB Strategic Planning meetings. They were held at the TecH20 Center, one of my favorite places in El Paso - and a place that, if you haven't visited, do so. You'll enjoy your time and learn a great deal about water conservation. The sessions were facilitated by Scott Haskins from Seattle. (My only regret about the meetings is that I didn't introduce myself to Scott and talk "Seattle". He mentioned in passing the Cedar River watershed which made me think of Rattlesnake Lake and remember some great hikes with my children around that area. SPU's management of the watershed is a remarkable example of land and habitat conservation.)
I'd like to give some random thoughts about my experience these past two days. These are random and not in order of any importance or significance. I don't intend any detailed analysis. I'll think about more things later, of course.
The days were enjoyable and they were enjoyable because being with these people was enjoyable. I saw a real openness and energy in the PSB members that I have not seen before. It's always nice to get compliments when not expecting them and I was flattered when my e-letter was complimented by Maria Teran. She likes how I link items to more information. She said it was "regular and identifiable". She made these comments in the context of discussing communications from PSB/EPWU.
Speaking about communications, that topic really aroused lively comment among PSB members. Everyone (including myself) agrees that Christina Montoya deserves kudos. Whenever you talk web sites and communication with the public, people get excited. They like social networking. (I'd follow Christina's tweets and would "like" a PSB Facebook page.) Board Chairman Ed Escudero and member David Nemir along with Ms. Teran extolled the planning meeting as a forum to engage the public - their stakeholders. Mr. Nemir wanted to know how to publicize the planning meetings better. (One of the negatives for the two days was the fact that El Paso's press was not present. They would rather cover a small water main break that affects a few homes than the conservation efforts of our water and stormwater utility.)
Ed Archuleta made my day both yesterday and today. Our State Wildlife Biologist, Lois Balin, attended yesterday and asked what could be done for important wetlands/habitats especially the Fred Hervey Plant and the Rio Bosque. I followed up with a question about the Bosque and Mr. Archuleta made it clear that providing the Bosque year-round water was easy. (This has currently been a crisis. Watering is done by hand by a few volunteers. Trees are dying.) Mr. Archuleta also mentioned that he has in the past considered seeing if the PSB could take over the management of the park. (When asked about that, John Sproul, the park manager/curator/conservationist, said that he knew that at one time the PSB wanted to look at the Bosque as a reservoir - not quite what the rest of us would have in mind.) The big problem with the Bosque is what Chuy Reyes and the Irrigation District are doing to the Bosque - denying them water and draining their groundwater - and they are draining the groundwater. (More on that in the future.) If Ed can help (and I intend to keep pushing on this one), he will be a hero in yet another way.
Then today Mr. Archuleta gave his thoughts about the property at now closed Houston Elementary School. That property may not mean much to many but it means much to me and my neighbors and our neighborhood association. The Newman Park Neighborhood Association, of which I am the current President, abuts the neighborhood, Manhattan Heights, where the school is. It has fabulous playfields that shouldn't go to waste. Mr. Archuleta mentioned building some kind of water storage with playgrounds above and permeable material in between. Best of both worlds and a way to utilize a perfect place for kids and teams to play and to prevent a blight between our neighborhood and Five Points.
Again, a big downside was the absence of El Paso's press. There were more from the public yesterday than today - but still a low number. Thank heavens I got the word out and a handfull of citizens showed up. Perhaps if PSB members are looking for opportunities to have a freer and in-depth conversation with the public, they should consider scheduling such meetings in the evenings or over the weekends. I understand the stress evening and weekend meetings puts on staff (and the staff management reports were super and should be heard by more El Pasoans); but, that kind of venue would get more people involved. (I'm thinking punch and those little cookies with sticky fruit on top as well.) Perhaps combining a public forum with tours of TecH2O Center and the de-sal plant on a Saturday would be just the ticket.
Of course, we are a far way from transparency in policy-making. There remains some serious and sober discussions about sustainability and rates. It did apperar as if several of the board members see the energy to be had by being open. I just hope that, in the days to come, many will also see the reasonableness of conserving 792 acres of open space known as the Scenic Corridor and conserving land and habitat by refusing to put a major thoroughfare (Paseo del Norte) through that beautiful mountain land. Frankly, no financial plan or formula will be harmed by the preservation. The PSB's fiduciary responsibility also includes protecting open space from garbage, building attractive trailheads, and conserving land and protecting it from encroachment by being sure that what is conserved has adequate buffers. They do a great job in just about everything that they do. It would be great if they would also join hands with petitioners and save the Scenic Corridor.
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