On June 28, 2009, The New York Times featured a front-page article entitled “It’s Now Legal to Catch a Raindrop in Colorado” by Kirk Johnson on rainwater catchment out West where water rights is a hotly contested issue, especially with increasing water scarcity in many areas. Also, the “Green” section of The New York Times online edition has a blog posting dated June 29, 2009 entitled “The Legalities of Rainwater Harvesting” by Leora Broydo Vestel on the same subject.
Indeed, we are blessed with big lakes, but climate change will not leave OH, MI, and PA unaffected. While we may have a decided advantage in the moment compared to those residing elsewhere, the adoption of effective water management practices assures that advantage is sustained. Such action is a combination of innovation in the development and application of related technology AND innovation in administrative structures so that “ownership” and responsibility-taking for sound ecological and economic water management decisions occur in a healthy way at local levels throughout the region, not solely at the state and national levels.
Achieving this balance is one of the unspoken, but key points in the articles. Our tri-state region can set the standard for both the technical and administrative aspects of sustainable water management practices. Demonstrating how to do that would bring us well-deserved recognition and provide us with a much-needed shot in the arm during these tough economic times Hey, why not?!
Originally posted to Local Food Systems by Steve Bosserman on Monday, June 29, 2009 16:55
Frameworks for Understanding the World 