Linking water resources expertise of a university with a state legislature

State legislatures represent a key forum for developing water management po licies. University-based water experts must overcome a number of institutio nal barriers, however, if they are to address state water policy issues in an effective manner. This can be accomplished through instituting and maint aining an on-going relationship with state legislators designed to build tr ust and to communicate scientific information in a nontechnical, timely man ner. This paper examines mechanism for water professionals to effectively i nteract with state policy-makers on water resources issues, using as an exa mple The University of Georgia's Vinson Institute of Government.