DOCSLIB.ORG

Essays on Common-Pool Resources: Evaluation of Water Management and Conservation Programs Kuatbay K

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Essays on Common-Pool Resources: Evaluation of Water Management and Conservation Programs Kuatbay K University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 8-2017 Essays on Common-Pool Resources: Evaluation of Water Management and Conservation Programs Kuatbay K. Bektemirov University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Public Policy Commons, Sustainability Commons, and the Water Resource Management Commons Recommended Citation Bektemirov, Kuatbay K., "Essays on Common-Pool Resources: Evaluation of Water Management and Conservation Programs" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 2432. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2432 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Essays on Common-Pool Resources: Evaluation of Water Management and Conservation Programs A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy by Kuatbay Bektemirov Tashkent Automobile and Roads Institute Engineering Specialist, 1985 Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Institute of Economics Candidate of Science in Economics, 1992 Indiana University-Bloomington Master of Public Affairs, 2004 National University of Uzbekistan Doctor of Science in Economics, 2008 August 2017 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. _____________________________________ Dr. Eric Wailes Dissertation Director _____________________________________ __________________________________ Dr. Kent Kovacs Dr. Brinck Kerr Committee Member Committee Member Abstract This dissertation is comprised of three essays that examine water management and conservation programs through the context of sustainable development. These essays are distinct case studies of national, state and local policies. Their common approach is that they all use common-pool resources theory to generate specific recommendations for policymaking and water management. The first essay explores opportunities for developing policy measures to prevent the collapse of the vital irrigation infrastructure in the Aral Sea region. The paper looks at the economic efficiency of various policy options, impacts on the country’s agricultural sector, and the regulations needed to make the cost-sharing irrigation system viable. The results define institutional changes necessary to make reforms feasible. The rationale for policy reform is based on the need to (i) facilitate the transition from a centrally planned agriculture to a market- oriented system; (ii) mediate, if not resolve, land tenure and water management issues; and (iii) analyze the importance of the irrigation infrastructure for sustainable agricultural development. The second essay examines opportunities for integrating conservation in Arkansas water policy. The paper defines institutional factors and rules-in-use as affecting actions at a state level policy for long-term water management. The findings identify the opportunities for integrating conservation in Arkansas water policy, and the need for re-conceptualizing the nature of state policy towards water resources. It proposes to identify goals and strategies, socioeconomic indicators, and resource indicators to determine if the state is moving toward sustainable water resources, as well as to categorize appropriate management tools. The third essay examines efforts to protect the environment and ensure adequate water to sustain irrigated agriculture in the Bayou Meto Basin, Arkansas. The paper analyses economic and distributional effects of the project to evaluate the policy outcomes in terms of benefits and costs on different stakeholder groups. The findings show the need for integrated water management and to account for opportunity costs of water, including costs associated with economic and environmental externalities. Kaldor-Hicks tableau displays net benefits and impact on all stakeholders, which can help to identify the right kinds of incentives for stakeholder participation to make the project politically feasible. Acknowledgments This accomplishment has been possible thanks to the support of many people. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Eric Wailes for his guidance, support, patience and intellectual prowess. Special appreciation is given to Dr. Brinck Kerr for encouraging scholarly enterprise and standards, and for his excellent direction of the Public Policy Ph.D. Program. Also, many thanks are due to Dr. Kovacs for your support and work with me. I want to thank my family for always being there for me. Very special appreciation goes to my wife Raya, and to our children - Janat, Gulshad, Kanat, and Kayrat - for being so patient, for helping me through difficult times, and for making the good times more enjoyable. You all have provided the support I much needed to persist these years. Finally, I want to thank my friends, relatives, co-workers and colleagues from around the world for their continued support. Without naming names, they all must know how thankful I am for having them by my side. Table of Contents Chapter I. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 2 Research Problem Definition ...................................................................................................... 9 Research Goal, Design and Data Sources ................................................................................. 10 References ................................................................................................................................. 14 Chapter II. ................................................................................................................................... 19 Common-Pool Resources Management: Needs Assessment for Irrigation Policy Reform in the Aral Sea Region .................................................................................................................... 19 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 20 Review of the Literature ............................................................................................................ 22 Research Design and Data Collection ....................................................................................... 27 Results and Discussion .............................................................................................................. 31 Implementation Strategy ........................................................................................................... 37 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 40 References ................................................................................................................................. 41 Chapter III. .................................................................................................................................. 44 Integrating Conservation in Arkansas State Water Policy ..................................................... 44 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 44 Water Allocation, Reserved Uses, and Allocation Preferences ................................................ 46 Legislative Framework .............................................................................................................. 46 Institutional Framework ............................................................................................................ 47 Critical Groundwater Areas ...................................................................................................... 48 State Water Planning ................................................................................................................. 50 Incorporating Conservation into Water Policy.......................................................................... 51 Public Water Supply Rate Structures ........................................................................................ 53 Water Use in Natural Gas Mining ............................................................................................. 54 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 55 References ................................................................................................................................. 55 Chapter IV. .................................................................................................................................. 58 Integrated Assessment of Welfare and Distributional Effects of the Bayou Meto Basin Project in Arkansas..................................................................................................................... 58 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 58 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SLIDES: Water Allocation and Water Markets in Spain
    University of Colorado Law School Colorado Law Scholarly Commons Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 2016 9-10) 6-10-2016 SLIDES: Water Allocation and Water Markets in Spain Nuria Hernández-Mora Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.law.colorado.edu/coping-with-water-scarcity-in-river- basins-worldwide Part of the Climate Commons, Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Hydrology Commons, International Law Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Social Policy Commons, Sustainability Commons, Transnational Law Commons, Water Law Commons, and the Water Resource Management Commons Citation Information Hernández-Mora, Nuria, "SLIDES: Water Allocation and Water Markets in Spain" (2016). Coping with Water Scarcity in River Basins Worldwide: Lessons Learned from Shared Experiences (Martz Summer Conference, June 9-10). https://scholar.law.colorado.edu/coping-with-water-scarcity-in-river-basins-worldwide/23 Reproduced with permission of the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment (formerly the Natural Resources Law Center) at the University of Colorado Law School. 2016 Clyde Martz Summer Conference Boulder, Colorado, June 9-10, 2016 Water allocation and water markets in Spain Nuria Hernández- Mora, Universidad de Sevilla SPAIN Outline 1. Context 2. Triggers, characteristics and
    [Show full text]
  • Water Trading in Australia Current & Prospective Products
    Water Trading in Australia Current & Prospective Products Current trends & prospective instruments to improve water market function Prepared for the Water Reform Working Group June 2003 © ACIL Tasman Pty Ltd This work is copyright. The Copyright Act 1968 permits fair dealing for study, research, news reporting, criticism or review. Selected passages, tables or diagrams may be reproduced for such purposes provided acknowledgment of the source is included. Permission for any more extensive reproduction must be obtained from Kelly Milne at ACIL Tasman on (03) 9600 3144. Reliance and Disclaimer The professional analysis and advice in this report has been prepared by ACIL Tasman for the exclusive use of the party or parties to whom it is addressed (the addressee) and for the purposes specified in it. This report is supplied in good faith and reflects the knowledge, expertise and experience of the consultants involved. The report must not be published, quoted or disseminated to any other party without ACIL Tasman’s prior written consent. ACIL Tasman accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of reliance on the report, other than the addressee. In conducting the analysis in this report ACIL Tasman has endeavoured to use what it considers is the best information available at the date of publication, including information supplied by the addressee. Unless stated otherwise, ACIL Tasman does not warrant the accuracy of any forecast or prediction in the report. Although ACIL Tasman exercises reasonable care when making forecasts or predictions, factors in the process, such as future market behaviour, are inherently uncertain and cannot be forecast or predicted reliably.
    [Show full text]
  • Cap and Trade Markets for Groundwater: Efficiency And
    Cap and trade markets for groundwater: Efficiency and distributional effects of the permit allocation mechanism Yang Gao 1, Ryan Blake Williams 1, and Donna Mitchell 1 1Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics, Texas Tech University Box 42132, Lubbock, TX 79409 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Selected Paper prepared for presentation at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association’s 2016 Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, February 6-9, 2016 Copyright 2016 by Y. Gao, R.B. Williams, and D.M. Mitchell. All rights reserved. Readers may make verbatim copies of this document for non-commercial purposes by any means, provided that this copyright notice appears on all such copies. Abstract Agricultural production on the Texas High Plains is heavily dependent on the Ogallala Aquifer, which accounts for approximately 95 percent of groundwater pumped. Rapid groundwater depletion has been observed in the Ogallala Aquifer, which is attributed to low recharge rates and high water withdrawals. In an effort to manage this limitedly-renewable water resource, High Plains Water Conservation District (HPWD) No.1 has established a rule to reduce pumping 1.25 acre-feet per acre per year for all groundwater users within HPWD. This research evaluates the efficiency and distributional effects of a “cap and trade” mechanism for the HPWD region under alternative methods of allocating the allowable groundwater use: an equal distribution rule and a uniform percentage reduction rule. Marginal abatement curves are derived from producer profit functions, which include four irrigated and three rain fed crops. Optimal cropping choices, water use, water permit trades, and water permit prices are estimated simultaneously by maximizing producer profits.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Management in Spain: an Example of Changing Paradigms
    Water Management in Spain: An example of changing paradigms Alberto Garrido Associate Professor, Technical University of Madrid M.Ramón Llamas Emeritus Professor, Complutense University Paper presented at the Engelberg Academy Conference on Water Switzerland October 10-12, 2007 Extended Abstract Both in principles and practical terms, Spain’s water policy has changed dramatically in the last years years. This rapid evolution has been accompanied by growing water problems, of which the Spanish society is becoming increasingly concern. This paper reviews the recent history of Spanish water policy, examines its weaknesses and strengths and draws policy relevant conclusions for other arid and semiarid countries. Key drivers of change, including serious environmental degradation, growing water demand, climatic change, agricultural policy and economic growth provide the context for recent water policy landmarks. Among these the reform of the water law in 1999, enabling water market transactions, the EU Water Framework Directive, the 2001 national hydrological plan and its subsequent reform in 2004 mark a decade of radical policy initiatives. Underlying them, water users, managers and society in general also show signs of new attitudes, thinking and awareness. In the paper, we review a few innovative programmes that tackle problems whose solution is long overdue, but shows signs of success. We look at the economics of water resources, including flexible allocation instruments, voluntary arrangements, and water prices. We also review how the most pressing problems associated with instensive use of groundwater resources are being addressed, after decades of unsuccessful attempts. Finally, we look at the irrigation sector, by far the largest water consumer in Spain and the one in which policies can accomplish the largest impacts.
    [Show full text]
  • Allocating California's Water
    PPIC WATER POLICY CENTER NOVEMBER 2015 Brian Gray Allocating California’s Ellen Hanak Richard Frank Water Richard Howitt Jay Lund Directions for Reform Leon Szeptycki Barton “Buzz” Thompson with research support from Jelena Jezdimirovic Supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation © 2015 Public Policy Institute of California PPIC is a public charity. It does not take or support positions on any ballot measures or on any local, state, or federal legislation, nor does it endorse, support, or oppose any political parties or candidates for public office. Short sections of text, not to exceed three paragraphs, may be quoted without written permission provided that full attribution is given to the source. Research publications reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, officers, or board of directors of the Public Policy Institute of California. SUMMARY CONTENTS California’s system for allocating water prevents it from meeting the state’s diverse needs, especially in times of scarcity. It is fragmented, inconsistent, and Introduction 4 lacking in transparency and clear lines of authority—all problems highlighted Three Directions during the latest drought. for Reform 6 To more effectively serve the 21st century economy, society, and environment, Streamline Water Rights this water allocation system needs an upgrade. Administration 6 Establish Environmental We propose an interlinked set of legal and policy reforms that would Water Budgets 10 significantly strengthen California’s ability to address future droughts, climate Facilitate Regional variability, and shifting economic demands for water. Our proposals focus on Water Sharing 12 three areas where the water allocation system is especially weak: water rights Conclusion 16 administration, allocation of water for the environment, and water trading.
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolving Western Water Markets Richard Howitt and Kristiana Hansen
    1st Quarter 2005 • 20(1) A publication of the CHOICES American Agricultural The magazine of food, farm, and resource issues Economics Association The Evolving Western Water Markets Richard Howitt and Kristiana Hansen Expanding population and environmental protection the A worldwide survey of existing markets makes it clear world over are placing additional demands on existing that gains in efficiency can occur even in the absence of water supplies. Meeting these demands by traditional theoretically perfect markets (Saleth & Dinar, 2004). The structural supply augmentation is dogged by increasing efficiency gains are achieved by moving water to higher environmental and fiscal costs, which leave excess water value uses. To achieve these gains, many states west of the demand to be met largely by conservation and reallocation Mississippi River have implemented legislation to facilitate of existing supplies. Water trading clearly has a role in real- water trading within their borders. However, because locating supplies and stimulating conservation by provid- water has both private and public good characteristics, it ing a clear measure of its value for conservation and a has often been developed with some degree of public voluntary self-compensating mechanism for reallocation. financing or subsidies. Hence, its reallocation generates Despite these advantages, traditional markets have been heated controversy—especially when potential profits are slow to evolve in the western United States for institu- involved. tional and hydrologic reasons. However, even when insti- tutional, political, and physical impediments prevent Water Market Determinants textbook water markets from developing, significant gains What factors determine whether and how markets in efficiency can result from relaxing restrictions on own- develop? Why is trading heavier in some states than in ership, use, and transfer.
    [Show full text]
  • Lessons from Water Trading in the U.S. and Australia
    INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURE AND TRADE POLICY Water Governance in the 21st Century Lessons from Water Trading in the U.S. and Australia By Shiney Varghese Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy March 2013 Water Trading in the U.S. and Australia: Lessons for Water Governance in the 21st Century By Shiney Varghese Published March 2013 © 2013 IATP. All rights reserved. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems. More at iatp.org Introduction that market pricing of freshwater would help reduce waste Droughts and related crop failures are big news all over the and pollution and reallocate its use to the most productive world. In Asia (e.g., India, Pakistan),Africa (e.g., Lesotho, and efficient users. However, in developing countries such Zimbabwe), Europe (e.g., Russia, Spain and Portugal) and the advocacy often results in national water sector reforms that Americas (e.g., Brazil, Argentina, United States), farmers favor the transfer of water away from subsistence livelihood and consumers are confronting the devastating effects of activities, either to higher priced commodity crops or to other prolonged water shortages, along with the very real possi- higher-valued uses—including meeting the needs of industry, bility that this kind of situation could be the new normal tourism and urban growth. as the climate changes. This unfolding disaster has led to renewed efforts to find solutions to the water crisis, both in Global Water governance, terms of increasing supply and decreasing demand.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Analysis of Legal Regimes with Respect to Fostering Healthy Water Markets
    Comparative Analysis of Legal Regimes with Respect to Fostering Healthy Water Markets November 2016 Part III Final Report on Political Economy of Water Markets ! ! ! Comparative!Analysis!of!Legal!Regimes!with!Respect!to!Fostering! Healthy!Water!Markets! ! Part!III! Final!Report!on!Political!Economy!of!Water!Markets! ! November!2016! ! Davíd!Pilz! Megan!Dyson! Bruce!Aylward! Carl!J!Bauer! Amy!Hardberger! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Portland,!Oregon! Preface This paper is one output of a project entitled “The Political Economy of Water Markets.” The project was carried out by Ecosystem Economics LLC and AMP Insights. The outputs of the project include a final report and a set of case studies. The final report consists of three papers and an annex: 1. Healthy Water Markets: A Conceptual Framework by Bruce Aylward, Davíd Pilz, Megan Dyson and Carl J. Bauer 2. Political Economy of Water Markets in the Western United States by Bruce Aylward, Davíd Pilz and Leslie Sanchez 3. Comparative Analysis of Legal Regimes with Respect to Fostering Healthy Water Markets by Davíd Pilz, Megan Dyson, Bruce Aylward, Carl J. Bauer and Amy Hardberger Annex: Water, Public Goods and Market Failure by Bruce Aylward The eight case studies consist of the following. 1. The Evolving Water Market in Chile’s Maipo River Basin by Carl J. Bauer 2. Addressing Overallocation and Water Trade in New South Wales, Australia: Namoi Basin Groundwater by Megan Dyson 3. Evolution of Australian Water Law and the National Water Initiative Framework by Megan Dyson 4. Opportunities for Surface Water Right Marketing in Idaho’s Rapidly Urbanizing Treasure Valley by Jeff Fereday 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Emerging Markets in Water. a Comparative Institutional Analysis of the Central Valley and Colorado-Big Thompson Projects***
    JANIS M. CAREY* & DAVID L. SUNDING** Emerging Markets in Water.A Comparative Institutional Analysis of the Central Valley and Colorado-Big Thompson Projects*** ABSTRACT Water tradingis a potential means to improve the productivity of developed water supplies and reconcile competing uses. Economic theory suggests that markets evolve in response to changes in supply and demand. This prediction is at odds with observed disparities in the pace of market development in regions facing similarpressures on scarce water resources.A dramaticexample of this disparity is found in the regions served by the California Central Valley Project and the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. This articleargues that the differences in market activity in the two areas can be explained largely by the underlying water allocation institutions. The article identifies key institutionalfeatures that affect the transactioncosts of water tradingand examines the roots of the institutionaldiferences. The institutionsgoverning market transactions today are largely a function of pre-existing property rights and political battles to build consensus and obtain federal financingfor the projects. The articlehighlights the path-dependent nature of water allocation institutions and trading, but also suggests that complex inter-regionalmarkets could still develop in California given ever-increasing competition for scarce water resourcesand advances in information technology that lower market transactioncosts. Assistant Professor, Division of Economics and Business, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401-1887. E-maiL jcarey nes.edu. I- Director, Center for Sustainable Resource Development and Cooperative Extension Specialist Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 207 Ginnhin Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA %720-3310. Member, Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics. E-mail: [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Accounting and Trading Platform Advances
    WaterAccounting Customer Success SITKA CASE STUDY: ROSEDALE-RIO BRAVO WATER STORAGE DISTRICT Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Accounting and Trading Platform Advances Sustainable Groundwater Management Formed in 1959 by landowners, Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District encompasses approximately The open-source platform – developed in partnership by 44,000 acres of land with over half Rosedale, EDF, Olsson, and Sitka Technology Group – being irrigated agriculture. Nearly all of the district’s water supplies is expected to play a significant role in creating a more are recharged into the groundwater resilient water system for generations to come. aquifer. By replenishing the aquifer, the region is able to keep water levels high and keep pumping costs low. Formed in 1959 by landowners in Kern County, Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District (Rosedale) encompasses approximately 44,000 acres of land in Central Valley, California. Over half those acres are irrigated agriculture, and nearly all the district’s water supplies are Founded in 1967, EDF is a non-profit recharged into the groundwater aquifer by the district. Replenishing environmental advocacy group that’s the aquifer keeps water levels high and pumping costs low, but it mission is to preserve the natural systems on which all life depends. doesn’t always keep groundwater demand from outpacing supply. Guided by science and economics, the organization finds practical and That’s a problem, especially in light of California’s Sustainable lasting solutions to the most serious of environmental problems facing Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which requires groundwater the planet, such as global warming, basins to balance groundwater demand and supply by 2040.
    [Show full text]
  • Managing Water As a Public Commodity
    7Managing Water as a Public Commodity CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES [F]ew public interests are more obvious, indisputable and independent of particular theory than the interest of the public of a State to maintain the rivers that are wholly within it substantially undiminished, except by such drafts upon them as the guardian of the public welfare may permit for the purpose of turning them to a more perfect use. This public interest is omnipresent wherever there is a State, and grows more pressing as population grows. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Hudson Water Co. v. McCarter, 1908 The preceding chapters highlight two central calls to action for California water policy. First, California must restore and strengthen the ecological functions of its watersheds, many of which are in serious decline and all of which face increasing risks from climate warming and other stressors. Second, California must improve its ability to respond and adapt to growing pressures on its water system from population growth, a changing economy, deteriorating infrastruc- ture, rising costs of water pollution, deteriorating ecosystems, and shifts in precipitation and water availability with a changing climate. To address these challenges, California must manage water comprehensively and in a way that recognizes both the public and private aspects of the resource. In some respects, water is a public good, with broadly shared benefits. Many environmental services provided by California’s water resources are part of the state’s collective heritage, owned by the public at large. The broad economic and environmental effects of storing, moving, and using water make it necessary to regulate these functions to protect public values.
    [Show full text]
  • Henrys Fork Basin Study Preliminary Water Market Analysis
    Technical Memorandum Henrys Fork Basin Study Preliminary Water Market Analysis Technical Series PN-HFS-008 Prepared by WestWater Research and CH2M HILL For Bureau of Reclamation, Idaho Water Resource Board, and Henrys Fork Watershed Council February 2013 Contents Section Page 1 Background and Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 1 2 Existing Idaho Water Market Conditions ............................................................................................... 2 2.1 Water Supply Bank and Rental Pools .................................................................................................. 2 2.1.1 Water Supply Bank ................................................................................................................. 2 2.1.2 Regional Rental Pools ............................................................................................................. 3 3 Comparative Water Markets Analysis ................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Single-Purpose Programs ..................................................................................................................... 5 3.1.1 Newlands Project, NV ............................................................................................................. 5 3.1.2 Palo Verde Irrigation District, CA ............................................................................................ 5 3.2 Competitive
    [Show full text]