Community-Based Exploration of Changes in Agricultural Water Availability in the U.S. Southwest

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, in partnership with its Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy and Arizona State University’s Global Futures Laboratory (ASU), is seeking agricultural communities interested in exploring the impacts of changes in water availability and climate uncertainty on their community. This project will use an exploratory scenario planning process to consider these factors and options for addressing them.

As part of the project, the Lincoln Institute and ASU will develop and run community-based workshops using the exploratory scenario planning method to help communities envision and plan for the implications of uncertain economic, social, and climate trends in water and agriculture.

Communities must submit a letter of interest to Nina Gruber at ngruber@lincolninst.edu addressing the guidelines listed to be considered for the program. Initial review of letters of interest will begin on September 12, 2022.

Evaluation Criteria

Letters of interest will be evaluated based on how they address the requirements and requested information below.

Who can submit a letter of interest?

Any individual or group of individuals representing one or several of the following entities, agencies or organizations, or governments:

• Governments and government agencies (municipal, county, state or tribal)
• Non-profit organizations
• Economic or Community Development groups
• Water/irrigation districts
• Group of unaffiliated community members (residents, business owners, etc.)

What communities are eligible?

Any group/individual expressing interest in the program must indicate that the community, their government, organization, or entity:

• Is located within one of the seven U.S. Colorado River Basin states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, or Utah). The community need not be within or rely on the Colorado River Basin.
• Has water supply issues that affect agriculture, growth, or development.
• Can form and/or work with a group of other governments, organizations, entities or community residents during the program’s three workshops.

What should a letter of interest address?

To express interest in the program, please submit a letter of interest that addresses the following:

• Your organization’s role in water supply issues or water planning
• Water supply issues facing your organization and your community
• Why an exploratory scenario planning process would be beneficial for your community
  • Describe why you or your organization are interested in partnering with other local groups and residents to tackle water planning and policy
  • Describe why you or your organization are interested in considering various future scenarios to understand how issues in your community will evolve
• Describe why you or your organization are interested in facilitating a community dialogue on these topics. Identify organizations that have committed to cooperate on a scenario planning project and list any other potential partners (such as organizations, governments, agencies) who might be interested in participating alongside your organization. Identify other community organizations or local foundations that may fund follow-up planning activities or implementation efforts