| Course ID: | ENVM 4800/6800. 3 hours. |
| Course Title: | Water Resource Economics and Management |
Course
Description: | Economic concepts and tools relevant to water allocation and
use; connections between hydrologic cycle, economic activity,
and ecological health. Research project analyzes spatial and
temporal dimensions of water use, economic growth, population
growth, legal institutions. Models of water use and crop
growth provide insight into economic decisions of agricultural
producers. |
| Oasis Title: | Water Resource Econ and Mgmt |
| Prerequisite: | Third or fourth year standing and (AAEC 2580 or AAEC 2580E or ECON 2106 or ECON 2106E or ECON 2106H) |
Semester Course
Offered: | Offered fall semester every year. |
| Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
|
| Course Objectives: | Students will gain an understanding of economic principles as
they apply to water resource management. Their research
projects will expose them to the wealth of water-related data
available and provide important historical context for our
current water challenges. Additionally, students will gain
insight into the economic decisions by firms, farms,
individuals, and communities, and learn how to analyze the
efficacy of public policy aimed at our water resources. |
| Topical Outline: | 1. The Water Cycle, Economic Concepts, Water Supply and Water
Use Trends: Hydrologic Cycle, Marginal Analysis, Water Supply
Systems, Water Use Trends
Assignment: Research Project #1: State Water Supplies
2. Water Demand (Final and Derived Demand) and Forecasting
Industrial Water Demand, Consumer Demand for Water,
Agricultural Water Demand
Assignment: Research Project #2: State Water Demand
3. Institutional Arrangements Related to Water Allocation and
Use: Property Rights, Riparian Rights, Prior Appropriations
Permit Systems, Coase Theorem
Assignment: Research Project #3: State Water Institutions
4. Water Pricing and Valuation: Water Markets, Use and Non-
Use Valuation Methods
5. Treatment of Water in International Trade Agreements:
NAFTA, GATT
6. Economic Issues Related to Water Quality: Point and Non-
Point Pollution, Water Quality Trading |