The document discusses sustainable practices for water resources and ecosystem services from a government policy perspective. It summarizes the mission and strategic initiatives of the Irrigation Association to promote efficient irrigation through education, certification, standards and codes, and government and public affairs. It also examines factors regulating water quantity and quality, land use and water resources, as well as trends in landscape sustainability, agricultural irrigation, the water-energy nexus, and the role of government policy through initiatives like Executive Order 13514. Overall, it argues that government involvement in landscape irrigation will increase and landscapes will require more sustainable solutions through industry partnerships with governments and other stakeholders.

1. Smart Practices.
Sustainable Solutions.
Lending a Hand: Ecosystem
Services and Water Resources
A Government Policy Perspective

2. Irrigation Association
MISSION:
Promote efficient irrigation
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Education
Certification
Standards and Codes
Government and Public Affairs
FOCUS:
Irrigation
Agriculture, Turf, Landscape, Golf

6. Regulating Factors – Great Divides
Water Quantity / Water Quality
Land Use / Water Resources
East / West
Water Systems / Ecosystems
Federal / State

9. Looking Ahead…
Landscape Sustainability
Marketplace is moving irrigation and landscape industry to be more sustainable.
• Focus on water efficiency  conservation
• Landscape with fewer inputs necessary  maintenance, chemicals, water
Reducing/eliminating use of potable water for landscape irrigation.
More sophisticated (smarter) irrigation systems  use of technology and
management
Plant choice/palate installed in the landscape
Insert government action and involvement…HERE…

10. Agricultural Irrigation
Accounts for 70% of freshwater withdrawals.
Today:
2050:
Approximately 7 billion people on the planet
Approximately 9 billion people on the planet
We are balancing a global “human right to water” in the
context of the right to a sustainable food supply.
In 2050 70 percent more food will be needed – translates to
up to 100% more food in developing nations.

11. Irrigated Agriculture in the United States
“Approximately 57 million acres of U.S. cropland are
irrigated; farmers use pressure irrigation systems on
about 40 percent of these acres.” (USDA 2011)
“Potential exists to improve irrigation water use while
sustaining yields in every basin. Conservation applied
on all irrigated cropland could provide nationwide
improvement.” (USDA 2011)

13. The Nexus
Water uses energy
Energy uses water
Agriculture needs both
Modern society needs all three

14. Role of the Government

15. Executive Order 13514
All Federal agencies shall increase energy efficiency, reduce
greenhouse gases and conserve and protect water
resources.
• 41 million acres of land
• 429,000 federal buildings
• References WaterSense
Council on Environmental Quality and the Government
Services Administration are promulgating rules (practices) to
achieve the goals set forth in the EO, specific to landscapes.
 Leading to a defacto standard for others to mimic.

16. Non-Regulatory
People
Opinion Leader
Products
Sites
EPA is driving a national discussion on the future and
role of landscapes and irrigation – focusing on efficiency.
Working in and outside of the government to enhance the
market for water-efficient products and practices.

17. Top trends through the states
Landscape plant palate and design:
1.Affects both water quality and water quantity (seeing it
in the east and west)
Seen as a solution and as a problem
2.Turfgrass – more than just water use
Water restrictions:
1.Role of efficiency before/during restrictions
2.Household water-use limitations

18. Top trends through the states
(cont.)
Licensing:
1.Promotes consumer protection (primary)
2.Promotes industry knowledge
Scope of Practice:
1.Finding a balance between where plumbing ends
and irrigation begins
2.Same with landscape architects and irrigation
professionals…

19. Realities
1) Policymakers’ involvement in the landscape irrigation
industry will increase, not decrease
2) Landscape water use will be reduced (mandated)
3) Potable water will not be the main source for irrigation water
4) Landscapes will not look the same 10 years from know as
they do today
5) Our industry needs to partner with governments and other
stakeholders to form sustainable solutions

20. Agriculture
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Farm Bill
Environmental Protection Agency Regulations
Buy and Dry
Infrastructure Investment (storage and conveyance)
Climate Change (floods, droughts, regulations)
Our industry needs to partner with governments and
other stakeholders to form and promote sustainable
solutions

21. Opportunities
Challenges in our industry creates opportunities.
1)Greater need for efficient products and professionals
services
2)More sophisticated irrigation designs, products,
machines and installations will be required
3)Partnerships formed today will be long lasting –
providing positive results
4)Current focus is driving discussion and education about
irrigation inside and outside of our water world…

22. John Farner
Irrigation Association
Government Affairs Director
johnfarner@irrigation.org