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Environmental conflict resolution by water utilities: Applications and lessons learned
Author(s) -
Kubala Susan S. Raines and David
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2011.tb11473.x
Subject(s) - natural resource , context (archaeology) , watershed , resource (disambiguation) , conflict resolution , environmental resource management , water resources , environmental planning , business , politics , environmental economics , computer science , environmental science , political science , geography , economics , computer network , ecology , archaeology , machine learning , law , biology
This article gives basic information about environmental conflict resolution (ECR) processes, discusses why and how to apply them in the context of a water utility, and provides an in‐depth example of collaborative watershed management in north Georgia. The ECR trend is the result, at least in part, of the growing realization that most natural resources are better managed at the resource level than they are at the level of political jurisdictions. By working collaboratively to monitor, assess, and protect water resources at the watershed level, it is possible to benefit from an efficiency of production that does not exist at the level of individual water and sewer authorities. This will also have a deeper, more holistic, protective effect on the water resource itself. Instead of undertaking piecemeal efforts that have questionable benefits, resources can be managed more effectively.