For the bulk of her career, Jayne Harkins has devoted her energy to issues associated with the management of the Colorado River, both with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and with the Colorado River Commission of Nevada.

Now her career is taking a different direction. In a Western Water Q&A, Harkins talks about her new role and her priorities as U.S. Commissioner of the United States section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. The U.S.-Mexico agency oversees myriad water matters between the two countries as they seek to sustainably manage the supply and water quality of the Colorado River, including its once-thriving Delta in Mexico, and other rivers the two countries share.

In a conversation with writer Gary Pitzer, Harkins discussed transborder pollution, addressing Colorado River shortages with Mexico and the significance of being the first woman on either side of the border to be named a commissioner.

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Colorado River issues, which have been central to much of Harkins’ professional career, are among the water topics explained in our array of Layperson’s Guides, poster-size maps and other educational resources available through the Foundation.

All of our maps, guides and publications will be on sale on World Water Day, which is Friday, March 22. That day, from 6 a.m. to midnight, we’re offering a special 25 percent discount. Use the discount code WORLDWATERDAY19 when checking out.