Environmental Conflict Resolution by Water Utilities: Applications and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Environmental policymakers, natural resource professionals, and citizens groups are increasingly turning to a handful of collaborative processes known collectively as ‘Environmental Conflict Resolution’ (ECR) in order to reach decisions that are environmentally sound, economically feasible and politically viable. This trend is due, at least in part, to the growing realization that most natural resources are better managed at the resource level (e.g. the watershed level) rather than the level of political jurisdictions (e.g. counties, cities, water authorities). This article shares basic information about ECR processes, why and how to apply them in the context of a water utility, and ends with some successful examples of ECR’s use by water utilities.

Keywords: ECR, collaboration, water utilities, conflict resolution