Evolution of Water Policy in California since the 1960s (Essay Sample)

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Evolution of Water Policy in California since the 1960s
Water is an example of California’s resources that is diverse and dynamic. California’s network of water treatment plants, dams, canals, in line with the laws and regulations that govern them have evolved rapidly over the course of the recent decades (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 12). This research paper outlines the evolution of water policy in the state of California since 1960s. It discusses the momentum of huge CA water resources development and how particular issues have slowed it in the recent decades forward progress to 1960s. It outlines how various water projects and Acts have affected the management of water policy in California.
Brower and dam decriers (Grand Canyon dam plans)
The Grand Canyon dam was proposed in 1924. However, the dam’s construction plan was initially abandoned for the Hoover Dam which was completed in 1936 (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 15). It was not until the 1950s when the state was faced with rapid population growth that the Bureau of Reclamation deemed it necessary to construct additional reservoirs (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 16). With a plan in mind to construct the Echo Park Dam in Dinosaur National Movement, the Bureau of Reclamation faced opposition from the nascent environmental movement which claimed that it posed a threat to the status of protected lands. The Bureau agreed to drop its bid to construct a dam in Dinosaur only if it was allowed to build one in Grand Canyon (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 18).
Colorado River Storage Project CRSP (Grand Canyon Dams)
To ensure that water was delivered to Colorado’s Lower Basin and Upper Basin, the Bureau of Reclamation recommended the Colorado River Storage Project which if implemented would comprise of a dam at the Colorado River at Grand Canyon, a pair of dams at the Green River as well as various dams at San Juan River and Gunnison River (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 31). In 1956, the Colorado River Storage Project Act led to the building of four huge power-generating programs located in the upper basin of the Colorado River. The project was to match the dam construction and development which the southern part of the river had already witnessed (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 32).
The Bureau of Reclamation had already narrowed down to a dam site situated at the Green River which would have led to the submerging of a treasured and fossil-carrying parkland referred to as the Dinosaur National Movement. David Brower, an executive director of the Sierra Club, together with other environmentalists fought tooth and nail to preserve the monument which to date is referred to as one of United States greatest conservation battles (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 33). In the end, both parties unanimously agreed to set up a dam at a spot regarded as remote which was located in Southern Utah referred to as Glen Canyon. It took almost 17 years to fill the reservoir. However, a steady decline would later be witnessed attributed to the steady overuse of the Colorado River system (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 35).
NEPA, Wilderness Act, Wild, and Scenic Rivers Act, CW Act
The conflict over the control of Colorado’s water was witnessed after a long period of water development during the past decades (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 55). In the late 1960s and mid-1970s, various federal and state laws brought about conflict as to who was to control and distribute California’s water while the environmentalists wanted to protect against the manipulation of California’s resources (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 57). In 1968, the Wilderness Act and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was formed. Later in 1972, the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was formed. All these acts were meant to protect rivers which had been identified for various dam projects to support the Southern Water Project (SWP). In 1969, the NEPA Act mandated that new flood control projects, as well as water management mechanisms, be implemented after an analysis of potential environment effects were carried out. It was also during this period that the Clean Water Act was implemented. The Clean Water Act required states such as California to attain particular standards of water quality, sewage treatment as well as wastewater discharges (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 56).
No/soCA rift and Peripheral Canal vote; Endangered Species Act
In 1973 and 1984, the federal Endangered Species Act and California Endangered Species Act respectively influenced the handling of California water resource systems whereby, various native fish species such as suckerfish and salmon were earmarked for protection (Hanak, Lund and Dinar 69). A proposition put forward in 1982 would have seen the construction of a canal as well all as other water-related facilities to drive water from Northern California Rivers to the California state water projects mainly in Sout...