Transboundary River Governance in the Western US: The Role of Cross-Scale Linkages in Interstate Compact Compliance

Abstract

From Introduction:

"Interstate river compacts highlight and exemplify the importance of cross-scale linkages within a watershed. The design, structure, and organization of compacts define linkages and relations among and across states, or what Young (2002a) refers to as horizontal linkages. In addition, the relations and linkages between state governments and water users, or vertical linkages, affect the operation of compact governing bodies and compliance with water allocation rules. In this paper we focus on the relations between state governments and water users and the effects of those relations and ties on the operation and performance of compacts, in particular the ability of states to comply with their compact commitments. To help identify what types of cross-scale linkages would affect the operations and compliance with compacts, we conduct a brief review of the burgeoning literature on cross-scale linkages and compliance. This review provides guidance for developing measures of linkages as well as suggesting research questions. Next, we provide a short overview of interstate river compacts, what they are, and how and why they were created. The types of compliance issues that may arise in the context of interstate compacts and their cross-scale linkages are also explored. We then engage in a preliminary analysis of these linkages to begin to explore the research questions and conclude with a discussion of the implications of these linkages, as well as how these data can be assessed in more depth in future analyses. "