Ronald A. Kaiser

Market Structures for U.S. Water Quality Trading

The use of transferable discharge permits as a water pollution control policy is rapidly increasing in the United States. Drawing on evidence from existing water quality trading programs, this paper provides a taxonomy of the forms that such markets take. Four main structures are identified: exchanges, bilateral negotiations, clearinghouses, and sole-source offsets. Each of these structures has its own strengths and weaknesses; none is optimal for all scenarios. Since market structure is largely determined by a programs rules, policy makers should be aware of the differences between these structures and the conditions under which each comes to be.

Collective Action and Social Capital of Wildlife Management Associations

Abstract In areas with dense landownership patterns, management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) depends upon collective decision making of landowners and hunters. To resolve conflicts associated with this commons dilemma, wildlife management associations (WMAs) have become a popular mechanism for coordinating wildlife management decisions in private land states, especially in Texas, USA. Social capital, represented by metrics such as trust, reciprocity, and community involvement, has been identified as an important determinant of the success of collaborative institutional arrangements. To determine the influence of social capital on the effectiveness of WMAs, we address 2 research questions: 1) do WMAs exhibit elements of social capital, and 2) what landowner characteristics affect elements of social capital within WMAs? We used a mail survey questionnaire to determine the effect of various factors on the activities and management practices in 4 WMAs in 2 regions in Texas: the Lower Post Oak Savannah (LPOS) and the Central Post Oak Savannah (CPOS). The LPOS landowners were members of larger associations, had generally acquired their land more recently, held more frequent meetings, and tended to have longer association membership than CPOS landowners, yet they exhibited lower social capital. The CPOS landowners owned significantly larger properties, and were predominantly absentee wealthy males that considered relaxation and hunting more important land uses than property ownership for a place to live. The smaller group size of the CPOS associations may be the most important factor in building and maintaining social capital. Intra-association trust, a primary measure of social capital, was positively influenced by the longevity of property ownership, the number of association meetings, the percentage of males in the association, and other factors. Conversely, negative influences on trust included absentee ownership and the proportion of woodland habitat present in each WMA. We suggest that deer are a common-pool resource whose populations are dependent upon collective action by stakeholders. Social capital building within landowner associations could facilitate the sustainable harvest of quality deer and possibly lead to cooperative management of other common-pool natural resources.

The regulatory framework of reclaimed wastewater for potable reuse in the United States

Abstract Water scarcity, climate change, population growth and rising infrastructure costs have opened the door for unconventional or ‘new’ water sources. Reclaimed water reuse has historically been practised for potable use in the United States as de facto water reuse or unplanned indirect water reuse. The increasing number of planned indirect water reuse projects in the country and the approval of the first direct potable reuse projects have exposed the limitations of the regulatory system at the national and state levels. These limitations pose barriers and/or add uncertainty to the viability of potable water reuse.

An Augmented Norm Activation Model: The Case of Residential Outdoor Water Use

ABSTRACT Understanding the factors that influence voluntary conservation is critical for developing effective residential water conservation policy. Previous work drawing on Schwartz’s Norm Activation Model (NAM) has been useful to understand some of these factors. However, one’s relationship with the broader community impacted by consumptive decisions has often been overlooked. Similarly, scholars have emphasized the importance of contextual factors not captured in the NAM. In this study we hypothesize and test an augmented NAM that incorporates community attachment, along with contextual variables (sociodemographic and household infrastructure), to understand the factors that lead to the development of moral obligations to conserve water and their relationship with residential outdoor water use. Results indicate personal norms, defined as a moral obligation to conserve water, are negatively related to outdoor water use, and that community attachment is a predictor of personal norms. Contextual factors are found to have an influence on outdoor water use.

World Water Supply and Use: Challenges for the Future

Water is the most precious natural resource on the earth. The amount of water available on the earth is limited and some regions are already heading toward water bankruptcy. Rising population, climate change, conversion of agricultural land for biofuel production, etc. further complicate the problem of adequate water allocation. The problem can be even more complex in transboundary river basins. This article presents the current state of water around the world and explores impending water challenges.

Correction to: Spatio-temporal trends in monthly pan evaporation in Aguascalientes, Mexico

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Tables 1 and 2 have errors.

Going political: A framework for environmental interest group evolution

Researchers continue to refine estimates of the number and size of special interest groups, including those dealing with marine and coastal issues. Few studies have examined their evolution into politically active organizations. This article posits and tests a life cycle theory for interest groups through a comparative analysis of the Sport Fishing Institute and the Coastal Conservation Association. Interest groups evolve through distinctive developmental stages (formative, developing, and mature), as measured by four organizational (group goals, structure, finance, and member incentives) and three political (staff specialization, headquarters location, and political self‐perception) variables. Applying these criteria indicates that the Sport Fishing Institute has evolved into a mature special interest organization, while the Coastal Conservation Association is in the developing phase of its life cycle. Identification of these developmental stages can provide strong indicators about the style and intensit...

Perceptions of beach safety: A comparison of beach users and managers

Abstract Todays beach manager must balance legal obligations to protect users from injuries with recreation users’ expectations for reasonably safe and enjoyable recreation opportunities. Thus beach managers must have a thorough understanding of their legal obligations as well as the expectations of their recreation users if they are to formulate risk‐management programs that satisfy both. This study outlines the legal obligations of beach managers in protecting users and presents survey findings that demonstrate that managers’ expectations for safety‐related services may be different from the expectations of recreation users at a particular beach park. Although the study was conducted at four Texas beach parks, the legal principles and methodology presented can be used by beach managers in their formulation or update of risk‐management programs for beaches in other states.