It has been an honor to be the Watershed Management Council President from November 1988 to November 1990 and prior to that the Executive Officer in 1987-88 while the council was forming. We have accomplished much: three excellent conferences, four field trips, numerous excellent newsletters, By-laws written, acquiring tax exempt status, and the WMC brochure, just to mention a few things.
We owe a big vote of thanks to the out-going Board members for all the work they have done. The council is off to a good start. The need for an organization such as the Watershed Management Council has never been more evident than currently exists. The public is calling for agencies and special interest to do a more professional job of addressing environmental issues. According to an August 1990 report from Environment Opinion Study of Washington, D.C., 82 percent of all voters rate the environment as one of the top three or four issues of concern. In our November 6 California elections, three major environmental initiatives were defeated. I don't think we should conclude that the public doesn't know what it wants. The public is most likely confused. We should view the election results as a signal that the public wants a professional approach to solving environmental problems.
The WMC can play a significant role in education and communication of proper watershed management to the public as well as be instrumental in bringing groups of diverse views together in conferences and field trips to discuss views and develop solutions.
The WMC can assist in achieving professionalism in solving environmental issues. I look forward to continued success of the Watershed Management Council. Please continue your support and I challenge each of you to become more active in committee work. Each of you can make a difference and together we can make significant progress in WMC's primary goals to:
