9: Transboundary (Water) Issues

Geographical Jurisdictions

Environmental Management undertaken by governing bodies with specific geographical

jurisdiction such as:

• Global/International Territories (e.g. EU)

• National Borders

• Provincial, State Borders

• Municipality, County, District, Boundaries

• Individual, Firm, Organization’s Property Boundaries

Biophysical Region Example:

Ecosystem/ Biological Community

Grizzly bear habitat not defined by people/govt, crosses multiple jurisdictions

Ogallala Aquifer

• mostly managed by counties or states, not nationally.

• creates a “tragedy of the commons”: each region wants water but hopes others do the work to conserve it (free-riding).

• Shared solutions fail unless all regions participate, because if some don’t, agreements collapse.

• This is why coordinated management is hard.

Colorado River Approportionate

Problems Compact as a Policy Instrument

• Non-tradable Quota given to each State

• not adaptive

• Note: 70-80% used for agriculture making up 15% of total US Ag. production

Prior Appropriation Water Rights in the Western USA (FITFIR)

• FITFIR = First in Time, First in Right → whoever claimed water first gets priority, especially in shortages.

• Unlimited licenses can be granted, and rights are tied to the land.

• Water must be used for beneficial purposes (eg farming, cities).

• Use it or lose it → if you don’t use your water, you can lose your rights.

• Farmers often hold senior rights because they were the first big users; in the West, most senior rights are in California.

Alberta – Water Rights

Like California, Alberta’s system was based solely upon Prior Allocation (FITFIR) throughout most of It’s history (that changed with the adaptation of Water for Life).

Changes in Alberta

• New licences are temporary (5–20 yrs) and can be overridden for environmental needs
• Province can limit or refuse new licences; 2004 moratorium on new permits in southern AB
• Licences are tradable
• Domestic & household use prioritized in shortages (over crops), even with FITFIR
• Gov can buy and cancel licences to reduce water use
• Gov can take up to 10% of water during licence trades