Dolge, Kathy

Organizational History

The 'Dividing the Waters Collection' is a collaboration of a network of judges, special masters and referees who preside over western water adjudications and other complex water litigation. The central purpose of the Dividing the Waters project has been to improve the management and outcome of this complex water-related litigation affecting western people and the region's environment. State trial judges have been most directly served by this project although state appellate judges, federal trial and appellate judges, and U.S. Supreme Court special masters are also involved in project activities.

Since its inception in 1993, the project has pursued five goals:

1. To share information about how the different states and courts have structured and conducted stream adjudications and other complex water law litigation;

2. To discuss some of the major problems judges confront in conducting these adjudications and cases;

3. To discuss what works and what does not work so that others do not have to make the same mistakes;

4. To benefit from the expertise of resource people who are involved in the many subject areas touched by these cases; and

5. To enable judges, masters, and referees to meet one another and develop lasting personal and professional relationships.

The project has focused on case management, alternative dispute resolution, and the sharing of practical experience by a diverse group of judges, masters and referees who have participated in Dividing the Waters activities.

Dividing the Waters has been supported by the Ford Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and General Service Foundation. For more information, see www.dividingthewaters.org .