Water Scarcity in the American West

This book examines the role of unauthorized water use in the American West (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) and the coming demand for water accountability. Arguing that status quo responses to unauthorized water use (or water theft) and the protection of water rights are largely inadequate, this title examines the far-ranging impacts of this lackluster response on issues ranging from food production to urban livability, and concludes that there will be intense pressure at both the federal and state level to address these issues. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative models and collaborative management literature to identify ideal approaches, this project ultimately seeks to address this major crisis of states' legitimacy and analyze potential solutions under the ever-expanding threat of climate change.

Provides detailed analysis and informed conclusions on the enforcement of water policy in the Western United States Utilizes qualitative and quantitative models to explain variations in state enforcement of water policy Confirms findings from extant collaborative management literature that such approaches work to reduce conflict

Autorentext

Isaac M. Castellano is Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Public Service at Boise State University, USA

Inhalt

1. The American West Responds to Climate Change.- 2. Literature Review: Scholarly Work on Water in the American West.- 3. American West and Unauthorized Water Use; An Examination of the Status Quo Protection of Water Rights.- 4. Water Accountability, Environmental Security, and 'Adaptive Interactions': Explaining Water Right Enforcement Capacity Among Western States.- 5. Empirical Assessment of State Water Rights Protection Efforts.- 6. The State and Federal Response: Probing the Possibilities.- 7. Moving Forward: Policy Actors and Strategy.