Full Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education, Issue ...

IWRM: Defi nitions and Conceptual Musings11“a synergistic process whereby environmental andeconomic considerations are effectively balancedthrough the life cycle of project planning, design,construction, operation and maintenance to improvethe quality of life for present and future generations.”The doctrine behind the Environmental OperatingPrinciples recognized the great influence of thesustainable development concept developed by theBrundtland Commission.Thirdly, the Strategic Plan for the Corps’ CivilWorks Program (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers2004) specifically promotes “Integrated WaterResources Management and a watershed focus”as a means to achieve five strategic goals, the firstof which is to “provide sustainable developmentand integrated management of the nation’s waterresources.” The Strategic Plan sets a vision forthe Corps “as the premier public service providerof comprehensive, sustainable solutions for waterchallenges through integrated water resourcesmanagement.”The goals from the U.S. federal policydocuments (Table 1) indicate that the definitionof “sustainable development” as the nationalgoal for water resources management, is fullyconsistent, not only with guidance within theCorps, but also with national goals for naturalresources management outlined by the NationalEnvironmental Policy Act, the President’s Councilon Sustainable Development and the Principlesand Guidelines. However, any law or other clearstatement of national policy that explicitly states sohas yet to emerge. A sustainable development goalis unevenly acknowledged among agencies andits relationship to IWRM remains unclear. Whilethe goal of IWRM within the Corps’ Civil WorksProgram appears to be sustainable development,IWRM is not clearly stated as such in the CivilWorks Strategic Plan. Thus, while the concepts ofsustainable development and IWRM have recentlybecome prominent in U.S. water resources policy,they remain fragmented and evolutionary. Cleardeclaration of the relationship between IWRM andsustainable development could be the next majorstep in advancing water resources managementtoward a more coherent integration into nationaland international visions of a sustainable earth.Table 1. U.S. policy statements that help define a U.S. national goal for Integrated Water Resources Management(organized chronologically from 1969 to 2004).NEPASourcePrinciples and GuidelinesPresident’s Commissionon Sustainable DevelopmentReportPolicy Guidance Letter 61Environmental OperatingPrinciplesArmy Corps Strategic PlanGoalEncourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment;promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environmentand biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; enrich theunderstanding of ecological systems and natural resources important to thenationTo contribute to national economic development consistent with protecting thenation’s environment, pursuant to national environmental statutesA sustainable United States will have a growing economy that provides equitableopportunities for satisfying livelihoods and a safe, healthy, high quality oflife for current and future generations. Our nation will protect its environment,its natural resource base, and the functions and viability of natural systems onwhich all life depends… Sustainability as balancing of three major elements:environmental health, economic prosperity and social well-beingUse of water resources in a manner that is sustainable, taking into account environmentalprotection, economic development, and social well beingSeek balance and synergy among human development activities and naturalsystems by designing economic and environmental solutions that support andreinforce one another.Provide sustainable development and integrated management of the nation’swater resources.JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY WATER RESEARCH & EDUCATIONUCOWR