Shared resources, common future: Sustainable management of Canada-United States border waters

Journal Article · · Natural Resources Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:5194032

Sadler, B

A long tradition of transboundary resource management activities links the United States with Canada and with Mexico, especially with respect to shared waters. The institutions established for this purpose, notably the International Joint Commission (IJC) and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), have solid records of accomplishment. In recent years, however, the performance of both organizations has come under critical scrutiny. The focus of concern is their capability to deal with a new generation of resource and environmental problems, characterized by increasing complexity, systems interdependency, and scientific and policy uncertainty. Examples include the implications of climate change, the corrosive effects of acid rain, and multiplying conflicts over water resources. Most indications are that these trends will intensify and continue to test the responsiveness of the IJC, the IBWC, and their domestic counterparts. This is the theme of the present paper. It involves evaluating societal, environmental, and institutional changes affecting Canada/United States border waters in a sustainable development context and a future tense. The emphasis is on drawing lessons from new approaches to decisionmaking that may help to maintain options for resource use and management.

• OSTI ID: 5194032
• Journal Information: Natural Resources Journal; (United States), Vol. 33:2; ISSN 0028-0739
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CANADA
WATER RESOURCES
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION
USA
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
COOPERATION
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology