US Water Governance

1.5 credits · Nicholas School of Environment

This course examines the governance systems that manage freshwater resources in the United States. American water policy is densely institutionalized, constrained by historical systems of rights and long-established patterns of water usage. It is also organizationally complex, with authority fragmented among myriad agencies and authorities at all jurisdictional levels. Our task will be first to understand current governing structures as a consequence of historical, functional, and political forces, and second to analyze contemporary efforts to promote collaboration, adaptive management, and market solutions within the framework of existing governance systems.