Managing Water-Related Conflicts : the Engineer's Role

The problems facing water resources planners and managers are extensive. The major challenge is finding the key to cooperative rather than divisive approaches to water resources management. In order to accomplish this, the engineer must understand not only the technological aspects of water management, but also the social aspects. This proceedings is concerned with helping the engineer to better understand the area of conflict management and what his role might be in managing water conflicts. Such topics as analytical aids to conflict management, innovative compensation arrangements, a water supply planning model, alternative dispute resolution, and the changing role of the engineer are discussed. With this type of information, an engineer will be able to participate in the resolution of the differing public, agency, and governmental views concerning the area of water resources management.