The Interstate Council on Water Policy (ICWP) is the national organization of state and regional water resource management agencies. As such, it provides a means for its members to exchange information, ideas, and experience and to work with federal agencies which share water management responsibilities. In particular, ICWP focuses on water quality and water quantity issues, and on the dynamic interface between state and federal roles.

ICWP is committed to seeking more comprehensive and coordinated approaches to water management that integrate quality and quantity concerns, ground as well as surface water management, and economic and environmental values. Within this context, the relationship between local, state, and federal policies, programs and regulatory issues is of particular interest.

ICWP’s scope of interest includes such issues as watershed management, dam safety, floodplain management, groundwater, nonpoint source pollution, water quality standards, water conservation, drought and emergency management, wetlands protection, state water rights, climate change, hydropower licensing, endangered species and habitat, water supply, and water resource research and data.

ICWP was founded in 1959 to provide a voice for the states in national water policy. In the late 1960s, ICWP successfully fought for the Water Resources Planning Act which provided the basis for improved state water planning programs. During the 1970s, ICWP served as the Standing State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Water Resources Council. In the late 1980s, ICWP was influential in the development of the 1986 Water Resources Development Act which redefined cost-sharing for federal water projects.

In the 1990's, ICWP continued its leadership by spearheading the development of a National Water Policy Charter and promoting a national dialogue on water policy.

Visit the ICWP By-Laws.