The annual Western Governor’s Association meeting started with topics that have been the source of bitter battles for years-natural resources and water rights.

Many feel that the growing population in the West combined with unresolved water rights claims are creating more problems that need to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

Part of the problem is that there is still too little known about the interconnection of different water aquifers, rivers and basins. These relationships will be crucial in charting out water use agreements.