Land Use Patterns and Water Quality: The Effect of Differential Land Management Controls

Many environmental problems have a strong spatial component. There may also be a spatial pattern to the regulatory actions taken to solve the problem, if the resource in question either falls under the management of multiple jurisdictions or is affected by decisions of agents subject to different jurisdictions’ policies. In no area is spatial pattern more important for environmental outcomes, and in no area are there more jurisdictions developing policy than in the area of land use. Land use pattern is a major determinant of water quality, and while a variety of agencies make policy that affects it, land use and land use pattern is most directly influenced by local governments. Given the relatively small size and the profusion of local governments, spillover effects are likely. Where multiple jurisdictions are attempting independently to manage land use change for reasons that include water quality protection, the results can easily be counterproductive. In fact, some have blamed jurisdictional fragmentation for at least some of the degradation of common surface and groundwater resources.