Water Policy and Institutions

Abstract

The water resource problems which confront this nation are becoming increasingly complex, Problems must now be addressed which did not exist in the past. These problems include innovative means for project planning and financing, environmental impacts, changing social attitudes and values toward development, and an increasingly complex legal setting. These problems must be addressed in the face of changing institutional roles. The diminished role of the federal government in all aspects of water planning and management illustrates one aspect of changing institutional roles. A central issue is how civil engineers can better perform the tasks of effective water planning and management when faced with both complex problems and altered institutional roles. The Water Policy and Institutions Committee of the Water Resource Planning and Management Division has been established to provide leadership in the division to encourage innovative responses by civil engineers to these new challenges.