Lecture to focus on West water problems

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 | 9:05 a.m.

Convincing the public that water in the West is not a limitless resource is a major hurdle in the battle to restore and protect freshwater resources, environmental professor Charles Goldman said.

As a scientist and policy consultant, Goldman, of the University of California, Davis, has spent 43 years studying water systems, including Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead and the Las Vegas Wash.

Goldman is scheduled to give a lecture at 4 p.m. today at the Desert Research Institute at Flamingo Road and Swenson Street.

He will receive the Desert Research Institute's 16th Nevada Medal tonight at a dinner at Caesars Palace. The DRI presents the medal, made of Nevada silver, annually to leading scientists in their fields.

"Water is going to be the ultimate limiting factor globally," Goldman said in an interview Monday. "Future wars may be fought over water rather than oil."

Goldman, steeped in the history of fighting over water in the West, also has done extensive research on how to keep Lake Tahoe and Lake Mead healthy.

Preventing treated sewage from running into the lake, restoring wetlands and protecting water quality by replacing older boat engines would ensure Lake Mead's future, he said.

Henderson resident Larry Paulson agreed with Goldman's assessment. As a graduate student, Paulson worked with the professor and helped him with his research.

"I think his greatest accomplishment is all the students he trained and sent across the country," Paulson said.

Goldman instilled a sense of integrity, commitment and humanity into his students, Paulson said.

"If there is one thing I am grateful for it is his emphasis on humanity," he said.

Goldman is continuing his research at Lake Tahoe, where two-stroke boat engines have been banned in favor of quieter and less polluting four-stroke boat motors.

Goldman credited casino developer Steve Wynn, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and the Clinton administration for coming to the aid of Lake Tahoe in 1997 and helping secure $300 million in federal funds for the lake over 30 years.

"I am guardedly optimistic about the future of the lake," he said.