Integrated regional water management: a study of collaboration or water politics-as-usual in California, USA

Abstract

This article analyzes the effectiveness of Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) in the San Francisco Bay Area of California for decreasing fragmentation and increasing collaboration among water management stakeholders. The theory identifies the elements of traditional water management politics that lead to fragmentation and conflict. The water politics-as-usual model is then compared to the collaborative model of integrated water management. The evolution of IRWM in California is briefly described. A survey of Bay Area stakeholders is used to assess whether participation in the Bay Area IRWM achieves the goals of collaboration and integration. The basic results suggest that the Bay Area has made only incremental progress away from the fragmentation and conflict seen in the past. Points for practitioners Integrated Regional Water Management is not a panacea for policy fragmentation. Short-term increases in collaboration must be followed by consistent attention to on-the-ground implementation of integrative projects. IRWM is unlikely to cause immediate, drastic changes in policy implementation. Policy change will be incremental and decision-makers must assess whether stronger administrative measures are needed to continue the process of integration and collaboration. Traditionally powerful interests are likely to dominate IRWM decisions unless explicit steps are taken to empower previously excluded groups. The success of IRWM will vary across regions, and more research is needed to identify important contextual variables.