Seminar 5: Water Management

Date: March 7, 2013
Names: Milan, Sam G, Emily, Ashley, Rob, Desiree, Wei, Tanya, BJ
Readings: Liao, Kuei-Hsien. "A Theory on Urban Resilience to Floods-A Basis for Alternative Planning Practices." Ecology and Society, 2012. 
Video:http://www.ted.com/talks/ rob_harmon_how_the_market_can_keep_streams_flowing.html)
Summary of Readings: A Theory on Urban Resilience to Floods-A Basis for Alternative Planning Practices

Image 1: Ecological Resilience vs Engineering Resilience

This article discusses the resilient approach to floods rather than resistant approach. Specifically, they discuss the difference between engineering resilience and ecological resilience. Engineering resilience refers to just one regime where ecological resilience is more than one, creating more systems. When discussing issues of floods, the ecological standpoint is most fitting because it creates 'multi-equilibria'. Because resilience is developed through living through disastrous situations, such as floods, people adapt, not resist to any type of disaster that happens. The main challenge is to create resilient cities as opposed to resistant ones.
Video
-The video discusses all of the streams that are completely dry, specifically Prickly Pear Creek. He explains how water laws were passed in the 1800's, and the people who gained senior water rights. People lose their water rights if they don't use them, which has created conflict with agricultural and environmental communities. He then explains how much water companies are using (their water footprint). The next step is to restore by connecting companies with water footprints and the legal water holders. These water holders must have an incentive to leave the water in the stream by paying them to keep the water in the stream and protect that water. The companies pay to return water to the ecosystem, which solves the conflict of dry streams.

Image 2: Prickly Pear Creek, Montana

Minutes of Seminar Discussion: What is a “senior water right” as discussed by Harmon in the video?
-someone who is responsible for water in their area

He identifies two problems with how this system regulates water use in Montana, what are they?
-companies water footprint
-senior water holders not taking care of water (no incentive)
What is a reliable approach to long-term flood safety?
-Resilience-Based Management
What are 3 internal factors that affect urban resilience to floods?
-Economic status of households
-Crisis support network
-Design
Trees allow more water to be stored along rivers. What lowers this capacity?
-Urbanization

Reflections: I believe that there must be a resilient approach when any disaster strikes, whether its a flood or an earthquake. Having this approach is positive because it focuses on moving forward and being stronger rather than being resistant. The video that was discussed also raised important points about how water can be treated as an 'item'. It also shows an example of how other bodies of water can be preserved, by making an incentive for people to actually care for them and save them. Like many environmental issues, it is not until we raise awareness to the public that ANY change is going to occur.

Image 1: Liao, Kuei-Hsien. "A Theory on Urban Resilience to Floods-A Basis for Alternative Planning Practices." Ecology and Society, 2012. 
Image 2: "BEF builds new model for water offsets." Sustainable Business Oregon. http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2010/09/bef_builds_new_model_for_water_offsets.html?page=all accessed April 17, 2013