A New Era for Irrigation (1996) / Chapter Skim
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6 FUTURE DIRECTIONS
6 FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Pages 169-180
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From page 169... ...
Over the course of this study, the committee has examined many factors that may affect the future of irrigation. These factors competition for water; concerns over environmental impacts, including the potential impacts of climate change; continued urbanization; conservative fiscal policy; the globalization of the United States economy; the shifting roles of federal and state governments; and tribal economic development will affect irrigation differently in different 169
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From page 170... ...
Overall, the total value of irrigated production may change little as yields increase and land is planted with higher-value crops. Successful farmers will adapt to increased water scarcity, new requirements to protect water quality and maintain streamflows, reduced crop and water subsidies, and global agricultural markets through innovation in technology, management, and marketing strategies.
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From page 171... ...
In regard to water transfers, the committee found some confusion and misconceptions regarding the distinction between water withdrawals and water consumption. This can be a serious impediment to states and water agencies or districts striving to establish effective water conservation programs and reallocation strategies.
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From page 172... ...
These criteria should not unduly limit incentives to transfer water rights. The transfer process may be managed at the local or regional level to more effectively address water user and third-party concerns, under rules established at the state level.
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From page 173... ...
The potential economic rewards to irrigated agriculture may be significant, but economic risk from increased competition will also increase. Future Directions: · To tap international markets, farmers will need different skills, communication modes, and information.
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From page 174... ...
Changes in these policies and institutions are occurring to reflect changing economies, emerging values, and shifting policy priorities. Thus, for example, the Bureau of Reclamation is moving from a project construction agency to a water management agency.
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From page 175... ...
The federal government, in the continuing exercise of its trust responsibility to Indian tribes, will be challenged to commit significant attention to settling tribal claims to water and helping the tribes realize the benefits of their water rights. · Federal requirements related to such things as protection of endangered species and water quality will continue, but the means by which these objectives will be pursued will shift to allow more;flexibility in the regulatory programs, to encourage the use of incentives and market-based approaches, and to engage more local, regional, and state participation in their achievement.
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From page 176... ...
Future Directions: · Urban landscaping provides an important opportunity to develop and expand the use of water reuse systems or otherforms of wastewater reclamation. Experience to date in applying reclaimed water in the irrigation of parks, median strips, and golf courses suggests that treated wastewater can be used safely and effectively in these ways, at lower cost and with less demand on freshwater supplies.
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From page 177... ...
Return flows from irrigated lands can help to maintain flows in some streams during periods in which natural flows would
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From page 178... ...
Although nonregulatory approaches have brought some progress, stronger measures are likely to be needed to reduce water quality problems. Future Directions: · The trend in environmental policy to regulate activities that affect endangered species, wetlands, water quality, and public health will continue, although it is likely to proceed at a slower pace than during the 1970s and 1980s.
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From page 179... ...
It was irrigation that made possible settlement of large portions of the arid western states, initially along creeks and rivers with adjacent bottomlands that could be readily provided with water. These small-scale, local efforts eventually evolved into large-scale, sometimes inter-basin water development projects served by complex hydraulic infrastructures maintained and run by large bureaucracies.
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From page 180... ...
Irrigation, and irrigation policy, provided the means by which people could transform land with little apparent economic value into productive farms and ranches. These irrigated lands continue to support the people who live on them and to produce products that support large numbers of other people.
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