Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller said the department will listen before acting. Washington State Water Resources Association director John Stuhlmiller, a water-policy veteran, said he doubts much will come of the conservations. The meetings, held with interest groups around the state, aren’t getting down to the nitty-gritty of water law, he said. At an online meeting in July to collect the opinions of farmers, participants typed in answers to various questions. Three weeks later, Ecology held an on-line meeting for environmental organizations.