INTEGRATION OF WATER-RESOURCES PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL-REGULATION

Water resources analysts recognize that water resources planning shoul d be comprehensive and multiply objective in nature, in contrast to pl anning centered on a single objective, such as flood control or irriga tion. Despite this agreement two basic-approaches have emerged over ti me, each with its own theoretical rationale. One is generally used by the Corps of Engineers and other construction agencies, and the other by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory agencies; neither is really comprehensive. These two approaches, alth ough in theory quite separate since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, have caused relatively little conflict until the last few ye ars, because they have been applied to different aspects of water reso urces. Now, however, the requirements of the various regulatory approa ches are making it almost impossible to construct major facilities for any purpose, and are raising questions about the operation of existin g structures for their authorized purposes. This problem has not been properly addressed, because environmentalists have felt no need to que stion an arrangement that vested them with such power, and water resou rce analysts were reluctant to challenge environmental, interests. Now , however, reflective individuals of both groups are aware that a more complete planning approach would be better. This paper explains the s ituation we are in and the principles involved; it also explores alter native methods of arriving at better results.