Matthew McKinney (with the fish). Director of the University of Montana's Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy (CNREP) just sent me a paper that he and attorney John E. Thorson (a CNREP Senior Fellow) published in Water Policy 17 (2015) 679–706, 'Resolving Water Conflicts in the
American West'.
Download 2015 Water Policy_McKinney
Abstract
The American West is defined first and foremost by aridity, scarcity, and variability of water resources. In response to this geographic imperative, the region has evolved a robust menu of legal, institutional, and commu- nity-based approaches to managing water and conflicts at local, state, and national levels. While far from perfect, this framework may offer lessons to other regions throughout the world that are increasingly faced with water con- flicts due to scarcity and variability of water resources. The resulting menu of approaches reflects an adaptive, collaborative, and nested system of governing water resources.
Cutting to the chase:
Conclusions
The American West provides an extended narrative on how geographic regions defined by scarce, variable water supplies allocate and manage water, prevent and resolve water conflicts, and adapt over time. While this story may inform and invigorate other regions that are increasingly faced with similar imperatives, wee hope it also inspires scholars and practitioners from other regions throughout the world to complete similar evaluations and to document and share lessons learned about resolving water conflicts and allocating scarce water resources.
As we seek to transfer lessons from one region to another, this study reinforces the importance of understanding the social and historical context of alternative water conflict resolution methods. Some ideas – such as prior appropriation – may (or may not) be part of the underlying culture of a particular region. The ability to import and adapt any particular method for water conflict resolution ultimately depends on the laws and institutions, cultural fabric, and indigenous traditions of different regions.
There is a lot of good stuff in between the two sections. Give their paper a read.
Enjoy!
“The mechanics of moving water is just lost on people,” - Jared Blumenfeld, EPA Region 9 (Pacific Southwest) Administrator
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