The 2008 WLS, to be held January 26, 2008 at U.C. Hastings in San Francisco, will address emerging topics in water law, with a focus on the impact of climate change.  In the five panels, peripheral canal debate, and two speaker presentations, we intend to explore proactive solutions to what are likely to be permanent changes in California ’s hydrology.  The following is a list of panel topics:

• A debate on the renewed proposal for construction of a peripheral canal;
• Delta Visions: The future of the Delta in the face of climate change;
• Evolving concepts of the Reasonable/Beneficial Use Doctrine in the face of increased supply uncertainty and growing urban demand;
• Reforming the Law of the River: a comprehensive discussion;
• California's Water Storage Dilemmas: instream, supply & flood control dimensions;
• Can California's Legal and Administrative Institutions Withstand Climate Change: Critiques and innovative suggestions ;

We are particularly excited by the peripheral canal debate.  Twenty-five years ago, when the proposal for the peripheral canal was first presented to the public in a referendum, Hastings hosted a contentious debate that was televised live throughout the state.  Now, a quarter of a century later, faced with new pressures including population, environmental concerns, and climate change, proposals for a canal have once again gained traction and will be put before the voters.  It is a perfect time to revisit the old debate in the new context.