The Colorado River Delta (CRD) is only 8% of its
original size and is
mainly sustained on agricultural run-off.
Ecosystem-based
management (EBM), the process of controlling human
activities to
protect, conserve, and enhance the quality of
ecosystems to meet
current and future needs, provides a way forward.
This study
uses nine common EBM principles to analyze
legislation, research,
management plans, and community actions of six major CRD
institutions, establishing a governance baseline.
Specific resulting
recommendations include extending Intentionally
Created Surplus to Mexico, testing Mexico s National
Water Law
amendments, and adding a Minute to the U.S.-Mexico
Water Treaty
to make EBM functional. Furthermore, the EBM
principles of
ecosystem valuation, the precautionary approach, and
adaptive
management can be made more operable through cooperative
restoration, experimentation, and demonstration,
strengthening the
CRD governance system. There is currently a window of
opportunity
to dedicate an instream flow to the CRD and encourage
EBM.
original size and is
mainly sustained on agricultural run-off.
Ecosystem-based
management (EBM), the process of controlling human
activities to
protect, conserve, and enhance the quality of
ecosystems to meet
current and future needs, provides a way forward.
This study
uses nine common EBM principles to analyze
legislation, research,
management plans, and community actions of six major CRD
institutions, establishing a governance baseline.
Specific resulting
recommendations include extending Intentionally
Created Surplus to Mexico, testing Mexico s National
Water Law
amendments, and adding a Minute to the U.S.-Mexico
Water Treaty
to make EBM functional. Furthermore, the EBM
principles of
ecosystem valuation, the precautionary approach, and
adaptive
management can be made more operable through cooperative
restoration, experimentation, and demonstration,
strengthening the
CRD governance system. There is currently a window of
opportunity
to dedicate an instream flow to the CRD and encourage
EBM.