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Lynn Scarlett is in the waning days of her time as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. And her visit to the area Friday may have been partially about her enjoying the bird watching on the San Pedro River as she is an avid birder.
But while meeting with local officials, including members of the Upper San Pedro Partnership, she gave some clear advice: Get to know officials in the new administration by briefing them on what you’re doing, and let them know where you’ve been successful.
For the partnership, part of its success is clearly in working toward scientific research and collection of data about the San Pedro River.
The partnership has done well in getting organizations together to do this, and it has been able to collect federal funding to make this work happen. This information will benefit the future of the river.
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But Scarlett also heard from an employee of the U.S. Geological Survey that we, the local public, are having a sense of “research burnout,” where we’re tired of hearing about what is being found out and wondering when something is going to be done.
Scarlett then gave some clear advice to the partnership, agreeing the public can wonder where the action is. She encouraged that a combination of visibility, evidence and research is needed.
With the elections done and the 2011 goal to meet a sustainable balance approaching ever so quickly, the partnership and its members have an opportunity to rejuvenate the discussion on the San Pedro, what has been found out and what is needed in the future. With the Upper San Pedro Water District still to be organized for a possible future public vote, the partnership continues to be the group with the capability to lead the advocacy of the river and explain what faces the local, national and international environmental gem.
The partnership should heed Scarlett’s advice. The continued public visibility of the partnership is important as is the education of local residents, especially new residents. The river area is something we should all cherish and want to protect.
Much has been done. Much still can be done. It takes determined leadership to make sure that continues.
