9: Transboundary Issues Flashcards
Environmental management is undertaken by governing bodies with specific ______________ ____________ such as…
Geographical jurisdiction such as:
- global/international territories (e.g. EU)
- national borders
- provincial, state borders
- municipality, county, district, boundaires
- individual, firm, organization’s property boundaries
Two examples of biophysical regions
- Map out grizzly bear habitat = biophysical region
- Watershed
Not determined by government. Determined by some aspect of nature and does not care about our boundaries
What is a transboundary issue? E.g. (2)
When a biophysical region crosses multiple jurisdictions
e.g. the Great Lakes watershed crosses many boundaries (diff states, provinces, countries)
e.g. Ogallala aquifer
What is the Ogallala aquifer? Why is it important? What is happening to it?
Largest known aquifer (‘underground lake’) in the world, located in southern and central plains of the US
Provides water for 20% of US crop production, 40% of beef production
Water has been accumulating for 30,000 years and its recharge rate is slower than its withdrawal rate
Many areas will be dry in 10-50 years
How is the Ogallala aquifer managed? What are the issues with its management?
Primarily managed at county or state level
- regional self interests create a tragedy of the commons; each governing body has an incentive to free ride off management efforts of other regions
- solutions involving shared sacrifice are difficult as all states/counties would have to participate
How is the Colorado river divided/shared? How is river flow changing?
Upper basin gets 7.5 million acre-feet, lower basin gest 7.5 MAF, and Mexico gets 1.5 MAF
The MAF flowing from the Colorado river have been lower since the first agreement for water usage in 1922
What are the problems with the Colorado River Compact as a policy instrument?
- non-tradable quota given to each state
- was not adaptive (to amount of water flow)
What major states are competing for water from the Colorado river? Primary use?
California and Arizona
70-80% used for agriculture, making up 15% of total US agriculture production
What is adaptive management? How could the policy around the Colorado river implement it?
Implement policy instrument, then evaluate and adjust policy instrument
For the Colorado River, could look at rain fall, water flow in the previous years and anticipate water flow for next year. Use these values to give % of total acre feet to states for the next year.
What is FITFIR? How many licenses are handed out?
First in time, first in right
Applies to water rights in Western USA
Senior rights holders, who claimed water first, have priority over junior rights holders, especially during times of shortage. There is no limit on the number of licenses granted. Licenses are tied to the land.
Key principles of Prior Appropriation Water Rights in the Western USA? (3)
- FITFIR
- Water must be used for beneficial purposes: water rights only granted if water is put to productive use. Rights are specific to use
- use it or lose it: if water is not used for a period of time, the right may be forfeited (prevents hoarding)
Old water rights in Alberta? When did this change?
Like California, Alberta’s system was based solely upon Prior Allocation (FITFIR) throughout most of history
Changed with the adaptation of Water for Life
Why is there water stress in southern Alberta?
Ground level water and stream levels are dropping
Reduced glacial flow bc of climate change
Southern AB receives very little precipitation
Changes made to water rights in AB
- all new licenses are term licenses (5 to 20 years) and can be superseded by environmental needs
- all licenses are tradable
- statutory preference for domestic and household use (household and livestock use prioritized in crises)
- the province can buy and ‘destroy’ licenses and take 10% of any license during a trade to shrink the pool
