|
The main goal of Thrust Area 5 is to examine and analyze
issues related to water-resources policy, including
behavioral, sociological, and economic factors, in semiarid
regions of the Southwest and integrate current SAHRA
modeling and physical sciences efforts with community
water planning and management.
Thrust Area 5 consists of four components:
The focus area "Institutional
analyses and social assessment" demonstrates how
stakeholder surveys, background historic and socio-economic
research can be used to assess the effectiveness of
current water management organizations in addressing
basin issues and to identify potential links between
scientific research and stakeholder needs for more effective
management tools. Similarly, the characterization and
analysis of droughts are other means of addressing institutional,
management, and policy issues of bi-national concern.
The focus area "Behavioral Aspects of Water Markets
and Water Banking" has developed survey instruments
that enable us to compare residents' actual water consumption
through water bills and low-cost, high-resolution water
meter loggers with their responses to changes in price,
institutions, or education in an experimental setting.
The focus area "Non-Market Valuation" proposes
to examine the influence of other types of valuation
on stakeholders' water demands and choices. This and
the previous focus area provide a scientific evaluation
of stakeholders' water choices and suggest where and
how policy and management changes might be more effective.
The focus area "Water Resources and Management
Operations" links the research from the prior Thrust
Area 5 areas with the findings from other thrust areas
in modeling systems developed collaboratively with water
managers. These system dynamic models act as frameworks
for integrating physical and social science into decision
tools for the management of scarce water resources.
At an Albuquerque workshop May 9-10, 2001, Thrust Area
5 participants strengthened their ability to work closely
with each other in modeling efforts, in measuring residential
water demand, and in selecting modeling approaches that
could be used by both researchers and stakeholders.
Thrust Area 5 participants perceive an equal need for
integration between scientific research and water stakeholders
within the other thrust areas. They also hope for increased
integration in the modeling efforts of other thrust
areas.
Figure
5.1 Integration scheme for Thrust Area 5.
|
