The world of rivers

all over the world. Professor Peter Stott of King’s College, London, outlined the problems and prospects of the availability of drinking water. The second symposium on water to sustain agriculture and industry was also centred around eight invited Sir Frank Price, Chairman International Water Symposia, 1984 Louisiana World Exposition, New Orleans, speakers. Board, reLA, USA Symposium I: Rivers and River Management, 1O-l 1 July 1984; of the British Waterways Symposium II: Water to Sustain Agriculture and industry, 12-13 July 1984; viewed the role of waterways in society, and especially in the UK. Robert World Water forum of Participating Nations, 14 July 1984 Broadbent, Assistant Secretary of the US Department of the Interior, discussed the complexities associated The first World Exposition to have its nations; between water, land, energy with the difficult issue of water allocamain primary focus on water was in and other resources; and between tion. Professor Nicholas Clesceri of New Orleans this year. The theme for various interest groups. During the Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, prothe 1984 World’s Fair was ‘The World early stages of water development, the vided a good overview on the effects of Rivers - Fresh Water as a Source of US Department of the Interior sent of agriculture and industry on water Life’. Numerous countries like Canaofficers to India and Egypt to learn quality and the water table. Charles about irrigation and water manageda, China, Egypt, Italy, Japan and the R. Ford, former Executive Assistant USA, private organizations such as ment. They also considered the wisto the Administrator of the US Endom of the American Indians. All this Chrysler, as well as various national vironmental Protection Agency, outknowledge and wisdom was incorpoand international organizations, set up lined the role of conservation, puriimpressive displays within the 84-acre rated and used to develop America’s fication and reuse on a global basis. site on the banks of the Mississippi water resources. William J. Janklow, Governor of the River on water-related activities and State of South Dakota, gave a comissues. Speakers prehensive overview of the role of The organizers of the World Exirrigation as the key to the problem of The first Symposium was centred position hosted a prestigious forum, increasing world food production. Edaround eight invited speakers. Lloyd where leading international water experts were invited, with two-fold A. Duscha of the US Army Corps of ward S. Reed, Executive Director of the Port of New Orleans, pointed out objectives - first, to encourage provided a historical overa Engineers the siting requirements for industry view of river management in the discussion of current issues and conand commerce in terms of water. The world. Ellis L. Armstrong, former cerns about relevant water policies, undersigned analysed the role of water and second, to develop an agenda of Commissioner of the Bureau of Reagricultural, industrial clamations, discussed multiple use of in transporting constructive proposals for ensuring and energy products on a global basis. river waters. Professor Henry P. Caulour future water needs. Lt General Peter J. Reynolds of the Canadian J. W. Morris (retired), President of field of Colorado State University of the Environment disreviewed the case of the viability of Department the National Waterways Foundation, cussed the effects of urbanization, interbasin and international water was responsible for organizing the industrialization and large-scale agritransfers, with special reference to symposia. culture on water needs. Canada, the USA and China. Robert In his introductory statement, In the World Water Forum of partiDe Paepe, President of the Permanent General Morris, Chairman of the cipating nations in the World ExposiInternational Association of NavigaSymposia, pointed out that good river tion, various aspects of water retion Congress (PIANC), Belgium, remanagement is essential for mankind. sources development were discussed viewed the role of rivers and canals for As a result of good planning and from Japan, South Korea and France. transportation of both goods and peodevelopment, it was possible to hold The symposia were extremely well ple in Western Europe. Ferdinand M. the symposia 68 ft below the level of organized and the quality of the papE. Budweg from Brazil gave a comthe Mississippi River. ers presented and the discussion was prehensive overview of integrated rivIn his opening address, William P. excellent. The papers will soon be er development, including environClark, Secretary of the US Departpublished by Ballinger Publishing mental issues. Jan van Dixhoorn, ment of the Interior, conveyed the Cambridge, MA, with Lt Director General of Rij kswaterstaat , Company, greetings and best wishes of President General Morris as the editor. The Netherlands, discussed integrated Reagan. He pointed out that fresh river development for his own country water is truly the source of life: only in specific terms. Professor J. R. Van Asit K. Biswas, President those who lack it know its true worth. Lopik of Louisiana State University International Society for He emphasized the role of partnership concentrated on the problems of manin water management at various Ecological Modelling agement of deltas with examples from levels: federal, state and local; among Oxford, UK

Conference report ‘The World of Rivers’

288

RESOURCES

POLICY

December

1984