Sociotechnical Analysis of Irrigation Drainage in Central California

Abstract

A sociotechnical framework is used to systematically investigate interactions between water agencies and proposed technical solutions to agricultural drainage problems in California's San Joaquin Valley during 1980s. State water officials face the conflicting incentive to reduce uncertainties over drainage treatment and disposal, while avoiding resolution of unknowns for fear of polarizing conflict over agricultural subsidies and waste disposal. To manage their dilemma, officials continue to order further studies and arrange more public hearings. Inability to make action‐forcing decisions characterizes every aspect of technomanagerial intervention, from planning and design of on‐farm irrigation management to resource mobilization for decommissioning of toxic evaporation ponds. Elimination of the dilemma requires separation of agricultural production goals of irrigation management from environmental protection goals of successful drainage management. Establishment of an independent drainage agency (or agencies) in the state is proposed with the sole mandate of environmentally sound drainage management.