Institute Directors:

	Oklahoma

New administration…New opportunities …New challenges.   
This is indeed a time of change and our Institutes are not immune.  
It is very important that you attend our meeting.  Please plan on attending to learn about new developments and meet with colleagues from other institutes.

New topics planned for this meeting include multi-state initiatives, climate change research update, partnerships with other organizations (including a proposed annual special issue of the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education reserved for NIWR use), water research priorities, the water-energy nexus, innovative strategies for Institute funding, and a demonstration of NIWR’s new software for use in inputting Institute accomplishments (corresponding to the new
performance metrics presented last year).  Of course, routine topics such as federal funding opportunities, USGS water research updates, strategic planning, and preparation for Congressional visits will also be addressed.  We will again sponsor a luncheon on Capitol Hill with Congressional Committee Staff in the Rayburn Building on Tuesday afternoon.

We will meet again on Monday, February 23 through Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at The Doubletree Hotel (formerly the Washington Terrace Hotel) on Scott Circle. The hotel page gives hotel information and reservation links. You must make your hotel reservation by January 22, 2009 to receive the NIWR meeting rate.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute of Oklahoma State University is handling meeting registration - (please see the registration page) and the agenda can be downloaded from the website after January 1.  Just before coming to the meeting, be sure to download the  briefing book; a password to enter this site will be provided via e-mail.  Any last-minute updates will be provided at the meeting.

Please start now to arrange appointments with your Congressional delegations on the afternoon of February 24, 2009.  Contact information can be found at Congressional delegation.

I look forward to seeing you all in Washington!

Dr. Will Focht, Meeting Chair

Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma