The Evolution of Water Resource Planning and Decision Making

ALEXANDRIA, VA – December 10, 2009. The Evolution of Water Resource Planning and Decision Making, the newest book in the IWR Maass-White Publication series has been published.

The book was commissioned by IWR to bring together a group of the nation’s foremost water experts and academicians to provide their views on what has brought the nation to this critical juncture. In his foreword, IWR Director Bob Pietrowsky notes that “Their collective perspectives on the evolution of thinking on topics such as economic analysis, environmental valuation and the state of U.S. water governance is aimed at informing students and practitioners alike on the nature of the issues looming ahead, while serving to underline the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to water resources planning and management.”

The manuscript considers the past, present and future of water resources planning. It reviews the history of water resources planning and development, the theory and practice of benefit-cost analysis, and environmental issues and options in water resources planning and decision making. The authors look at collaboration between ecologists and economists and examine political decision making in the water resources management arena. In the final chapter, Gerald Galloway discusses “Making the transition: moving water resources planning and management into the twenty-first century.”

Dr. Paul Bourget played a central role as manager and intellectual leader on the project. The book’s development was also directed and edited by Clifford S. Russell and Duane D. Baumann. Contributing authors included Duane Baumann, Clifford Russell, John J. Boland, Warren (Bud) Viessman, Jr., Jerome Delli Priscoli, Nicholas Flores, Charles W. Howe, David H. Moreau, Daniel P. Loucks, Mark Sagoff, Peter Rogers, Lawrence MacDonnell, Peter Lydon and Gerald E. Galloway. Bob Pietrowsky wrote the foreword. The book is dedicated to Professor Gilbert F. White, who gave his support to the effort before his death in 2006. It has been published by Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc. The book is currently available in hardback and will soon be available in paperback.

Learn More: