Integration of Water Resources Planning and Environmental Regulation

Abstract

Water resources analysts recognize that water resources planning should be comprehensive and multiply objective in nature, in contrast to planning centered on a single objective, such as flood control or irrigation. Despite this agreement, two basic approaches have emerged over time, each with its own theoretical rationale. One is generally used by the Corps of Engineers and other construction agencies, and the other by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory agencies; neither is really comprehensive. These two approaches, although in theory quite separate since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, have caused relatively little conflict until the last few years, because they have been applied to different aspects of water resources. Now, however, the requirements of the various regulatory approaches are making it almost impossible to construct major facilities for any purpose, and are raising questions about the operation of existing structures for their authorized purposes. This problem has not been properly addressed, because environmentalists have felt no need to question an arrangement that vested them with such power, and water resource analysts were reluctant to challenge environmental interests. Now, however, reflective individuals of both groups are aware that a more complete planning approach would be better. This paper explains the situation we are in and the principles involved; it also explores alternative methods of arriving at better results.