A Water Lobby Day is planned at the Oklahoma State Capitol next week, one sponsored by the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club.
The organization says it plans to educate the general public and state legislators on topics that impact the state’s water. Those behind the Lobby Day include citizens,tribal representatives and public interest organizations.
Groups will share information on Oklahoma aquifers, lakes and rivers and the issues impacting them on Thursday, March 5.
Special guest Casey Camp-Horinek, Director of the Environment for the Ponca Nation, and an advocate on climate action and the Rights of Nature movement, will speak at 1:45pm to kick off the event.
“There is no issue more fundamental than ensuring our water is protected for coming generations. Water is sacred. It is not a business commodity.”
Organizations will set up table displays to share how they and their members benefit from, and enjoy the use of, abundant water resources in Oklahoma.
Trout Unlimited 420, Save the Rush Springs Aquifer, (STIR) Save the Illinois River, Oklahoma Sierra Club, Green Country Guardians, ORWP (Oklahomans for Responsible Water Policy), L.E.A.D. Agency, Green Country Guardians and other conservation and environmental organizations will be on hand with displays in the 2nd Floor Rotunda from 1pm until 5pm.
Pat Daly with Trout Unlimited 420 sums up the group’s participation and interest this way– “Oklahoma Trout Unlimited is a conservation organization dedicated to protecting our vulnerable fisheries. Lack of minimum water flow rules, excess nutrients from confined animal/chicken feeding operations, river discharge of chemicals and oil field waste and overreaching water transfers all threaten our valuable fisheries.”
Daly said “Fishing is one of the largest revenue generators in Oklahoma with 15,432 jobs, producing $148,216,301 in Federal tax revenues and $99,623,056 in State and local tax revenue. It deserves full protection and a seat at the table on all key committees and decision making boards at the state capitol.”
This year’s event will also feature student participation by way of Tulsa’s Emerson Montessori school. Approximately 30 teachers and 10 parents will make the trip to the Capitol as part of teacher Nikki Turner’s class. “There is no better way to teach our youth about government than to see it in action, and then have the students participate in it first-hand.”
Oklahoma Sierra Club will host a training for any person interested in learning about citizen-based lobbying.
To close out the day, there will be a formal media event in the 4th Floor Press Room at 4:30 pm.
More information about this event is available online here:
Source: Sierra Club release
