Augmented Water Law

24 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2016

See all articles by Rhett Larson

Rhett Larson

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Date Written: December 18, 2015

Abstract

There are two possible broad strategies to address the challenge of water scarcity – limit water demand through conservation, or augment water supply. With respect to increasing supply, there are several possible approaches, including traditional approaches such as drilling more wells, increasing reservoir capacity, rainwater harvesting, or seawater desalination. But these approaches may only ultimately exacerbate water scarcity or result in unacceptable environmental impacts. This essay focuses on three non-traditional approaches to water augmentation – bulk water imports, watershed management, and cloud seeding. This essay evaluates the viability of each of these approaches within the context of existing legal regimes and proposes three possible reforms that could facilitate responsible non-traditional water augmentation projects when appropriate.

Keywords: water law, environmental law, natural resource law

Suggested Citation

Larson, Rhett, Augmented Water Law (December 18, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2749388 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2749388

Rhett Larson (Contact Author)

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law ( email )

Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906
United States

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