HR: 16:35h
AN: U34B-02    [Abstracts]
TI: New Water Management Institutions in Mexico’s ‘New Culture of Water’: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges for Effective Use of Climate Knowledge and Climate Science
AU: Wilder, M
EM: mwilder@email.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Latin American Studies Marshall 280 University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AU: Varady, R G
EM: rvarady@email.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy 803 E. 1st Street University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AU: Pineda Pablos, N
EM: npineda@colson.edu.mx
AF: El Colegio de Sonora, Av. Obregon 54, Centro, Hermosillo, SON 83000, Mexico
AU: Browning-Aiken, A
EM: browning@email.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy 803 E. 1st Street University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AU: * Diaz Caravantes, R
EM: diazrol@email.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Department of Geography Harvill 409 University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AU: Garfin, G
EM: gmgarfin@email.arizona.edu
AF: University of Arizona, Institute for the Study of Planet Earth PO Box 210077, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
AB: Since 1992, Mexico has developed a new set of water management institutions to usher in a ‘new culture of water’ that focuses on decentralized governance and formalized participation of local water users. Reforms to the national water legislation in April 2004 regionalized the governance of water and highlighted the importance of river basin councils as a mechanism for integrated management of major watersheds across Mexico. As a result of the dramatic national water policy reforms, water service delivery in Mexico has been decentralized to the state and municipal level, resulting in a critical new role for municipal governments charged with this important function. A network of river basin councils accompanied and sub-basin councils has been developed to undertake watershed planning. Decentralization and local participation policies embody numerous significant goals and promises, including greater efficiency, more financial accountability, fostering the beginnings of a sense of local stewardship of precious resources, and enhanced environmental sustainability. This paper examines the implications of municipalized water services and emerging river basin councils for utilization of climate knowledge and climate science. We analyze whether these changes open new windows of opportunity for meaningful use of climate science (e.g., forecasts; models). How effectively are municipal water managers and river basin councils utilizing climate knowledge and climate science, and for what purposes? Are there ways to improve the fit between the needs of water managers and river basin councils and the science that is currently available? What is the role of local participation in water policy making in urban settings and river basin councils? The study found overall that the promises and potential for effective utilization of climate science/knowledge to enhance sustainability exists, but is not yet being adequately realized. Binational efforts to develop climate science and information-sharing mechanisms across the Sonora/Arizona border and to work with local communities and stakeholders to improve the fit between science and social stakeholders’ needs should help realize the potential offered by Mexico’s emerging water management institutions and enhance sustainable policy making.
DE: 1616 Climate variability (1635, 3305, 3309, 4215, 4513)
SC: Union [U]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly