HP1 Global Sustainability
Ballroom E, Level 4
2:10 PM - 5:30 PM, Thursday, 13 November 2003
Chair: Dixon, Ken ,
(565) Sustainability of Water Use in Three Texas Watersheds.
Dixon, K1, Albers, E1, Basinger, J1, Gerber, B1, Grizzle, H1, Herboldsheimer, A1, Law, C1, Medford, C1, Tinkler, D1, 1 Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
ABSTRACT- We used a set of integrated models to study sustainable development by focusing on water use, water quality, and the governmental policies and regulations affecting these factors. We modeled land use change, especially urbanization of forest and crop land, water use (crop irrigation, urban and industrial use), stream flow, and pollution loadings resulting from these factors. The model was applied to the state of Texas, USA, which has high population growth and a decreasing supply of water. The model predicts that changes in several policy areas are needed for sustainable development. Our findings are important because they can shed light on the likelihood of success for a "community-based environmental protection" initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, created in the 1990s to promote local government innovation toward more sustainable communities.
Key words: environmental regulations, watershed model, environmental policy, sustainable development