Exploring links between policy preferences for water reallocation and beliefs, values, attitudes, and social norms in Alberta, Canada

Russenberger, M.; Bjørnlund, Henning; Xu, Wei

doi:10.2495/ws110101

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…However, very few are targeted at analyzing public preferences regarding water management. Russenberger, Bjornlund, and Xu () examined how individual preferences concerning water allocation are formed. This study considers values, attitudes and beliefs regarding water and the environment.…”

Section: Public Opinion and Water Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role played by environmental concern and institutional trust in changing public preferences for water management

2018

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Efforts to improve the efficiency of irrigation systems in areas which suffer from water scarcity have often failed to reduce water demand owing to the constant expansion of irrigation. Andalusia, in southern Spain, is a clear case in point, as the publicly funded programs aimed at improving irrigation put forward since the 1990s after recurrent episodes of drought have not been able to meet agrarian demand. This situation has generated an active debate among stakeholders and public managers. This study aims to investigate the role of public opinion in this debate, as demanded by new water governance models, embodied in the Water Framework Directive. We use the results of a representative annual survey in Andalusia between 2004 and 2013. First, we analyze the evolution of public support for the two most costly public measures: constructing reservoirs and improving irrigation. Second, we analyze some attitudes that may have affected a change in public opinion, including institutional trust and environmental concern. The results suggest that the public legitimizes the administration's bid for more efficient irrigation systems, essentially for environmental reasons. However, should attempts to control water demand continue to fail, support for this measure may be withdrawn.

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Section: Public Opinion and Water Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role played by environmental concern and institutional trust in changing public preferences for water management

2018

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“…To improve our understanding of the opposition two surveys were carried out exploring how the general public perceives that water sharing should take place [17][18][19][20].…”

Section: Non-irrigators Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable irrigation: Alberta perspectives

Bjørnlund

2012

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

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The problem of water scarcity is emerging in Southern Alberta, and the environment starts to feel its impact. Among 33 main stem river reaches in the South Saskatchewan River Basin (SSRB), 22 of them are rated as 'moderately impacted', five as heavily impacted, and three as degraded due to the current level of water extraction. At the same time, the region experiences significant population and economic growth. Community values and attitudes toward the environment are also changing, with increased demand for leaving more water in the rivers for improved ecosystem health and recreational benefits. In response to these transformations, the SSRB was closed in 2005 and no new applications for water licenses will be accepted. As a result, policy pressures are mounting on using existing licenses more efficiently. There is an urgent need to find ways of sharing the water already allocated and to leave more water in the rivers to meet water conservation objectives. Because it currently controls 70-80% of all allocated water within the SSRB, irrigation clearly needs to play a critical role in meeting Alberta's future water allocation objectives. For irrigation to remain sustainable it needs to be more efficient and productive with its water use and to find ways of sharing its water with the rest of the community. Otherwise, political pressure will mount for non-voluntary sharing arrangements, which could result in an unsustainable irrigation industry. Recent attempts to share irrigation water in Alberta have been subject to persistent opposition. This paper will discuss the recent development in Alberta and will explore the reasons for the opposition both from irrigators and non-irrigators. The paper is based on seven major surveys conducted during the 2006-12 period.

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“…Since the 1800s, water has been steadily allocated to water users in agriculture, industry and municipalities using a priority system . From a water management perspective, the development of irrigation in the SSRB is of great importance as it accounts for approximately 75% of the total volume of water allocated (L. Russenberger et al, 2011).…”

Section: Geographic Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Proponents of water markets and license transfers have called for their expansion in southern Alberta . These proponents assert that a less burdensome transfer process will encourage more transfers between water users Russenberger et al, 2011). By exploring the strategic interactions between water users and the incentives under equilibrium, this chapter puts these claims to the test.…”

Section: Chapter Four Outlinementioning

confidence: 99%

Water Allocation in Southern Alberta

Belayneh¹

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This dissertation examines water allocation in southern Alberta and develops a fungibility framework for water rights and examines a range of characteristics impacting the transferability of water rights in southern Alberta. Fungibility is the degree to which water rights are homogenous. The fungibility of water rights is impacted by the number of different water rights within a given basin, the way these rights are defined, limitations on their transferability and how secure they are. Recognizing the characteristics that impact fungibility and ensuring water rights are as homogenous as possible makes these water rights easier to transfer between water users and may ensure a more effective water transfer system in southern Alberta. Even though water license transfers have been limited in terms of amount and volume, the total economic benefit from water use in the South Saskatchewan River Basin can increase through water reallocation.This dissertation illustrates how, without institutional constraints, basin-wide economic benefits could increase and shows what a potential reallocation of water allocations in the region looks like. This reallocation could see more water diverted to municipal users at the expense of agricultural users. Finally, the political influence of irrigators is examined. Efforts at reallocating water away from irrigation will be limited unless coalitions develop that can minimize the influence of irrigation's proponents.

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Exploring links between policy preferences for water reallocation and beliefs, values, attitudes, and social norms in Alberta, Canada

Cited by 5 publications

References 14 publications

The role played by environmental concern and institutional trust in changing public preferences for water management

The role played by environmental concern and institutional trust in changing public preferences for water management

Sustainable irrigation: Alberta perspectives

Water Allocation in Southern Alberta

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