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WHO SHOULD MANAGE THE HIGH PLAINS AQUIFER? THE IRRIGATORS' PERSPECTIVE 1
Author(s) -
White Stephen E.,
Kromm David E.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1995.tb03396.x
Subject(s) - aquifer , business , groundwater , agency (philosophy) , environmental planning , water resource management , geography , environmental science , engineering , geotechnical engineering , philosophy , epistemology
A state‐local partnership exists in Colorado and Kansas with respect to management of the High Plains aquifer. This paper examines 330 irrigators' attitudes about the locus‐of‐control for different management activities in the High Plains‐Ogallala region. Local control was preferred by most irrigators. The local district was most supported for 19 active management activities, whereas the state was favored for eight specific activities, primarily research efforts and water rights administration. Eight activities that had the potential for restricting water use were rejected in that irrigators indicated that no agency should be involved. Kansas and Colorado exhibited statistically significant preference differences for only five management options. A significantly higher percentage of those irrigators who preferred local control believed in sustainable management of the aquifer and aggressive groundwater management, and that their district served their interests.