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Instituting Integration: Findings of the Comparative Groundwater Law & Policy Program's Workshop 1
By Rebecca Nelson
The Comparative Groundwater Law and Policy Program focuses geographically on Australia
and the western U.S. Both regions face water scarcity and the challenges of providing water to
support both consumptive and environmental values. By understanding, comparing and
contrasting their successes and challenges in developing and implementing law and policy for
integrated groundwater management, the Program will develop policy recommendations for
improving groundwater sustainability in both regions.
The Program is a collaborative project between the Water in the West initiative of the Stanford
Woods Institute for the Environment and the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford
University, and the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. It operates with
funding provided by the Dow Chemical Company Foundation and the Alcoa Foundation,
through the United States Studies Centre’s Dow Sustainability Program; and the
S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Water Course on the Colorado River
Stanford Magazine, January/February 2012
Twelve Sophomore Stanford University Students, three faculty, three teaching assistants and Professor Buzz Thompson set out for a two week adventure on the Colorado River. While immersing themselves on the 225 mile journey as part of a Sophomore Course entitled: Water in the West, the students get the ultimate hands on experience. Full Article
Twelve Sophomore Stanford University Students, three faculty, three teaching assistants and Professor Buzz Thompson set out for a two week adventure on the Colorado River. While immersing themselves on the 225 mile journey as part of a Sophomore Course entitled: Water in the West, the students get the ultimate hands on experience. Full Article
Managing California groundwater from the bottom up
Stanford News Service, July 11, 2011
Critics say that this decentralized system leaves the state vulnerable to overdraft, which occurs when water is pumped out faster than the ground can absorb it. But according to a new report (pdf) published by Stanford University’s Program on Water in the West, a surprising number of local water districts are taking on the challenge of groundwater protection, even without state leadership. Read more >
Critics say that this decentralized system leaves the state vulnerable to overdraft, which occurs when water is pumped out faster than the ground can absorb it. But according to a new report (pdf) published by Stanford University’s Program on Water in the West, a surprising number of local water districts are taking on the challenge of groundwater protection, even without state leadership. Read more >
Managing California's water: From conflict to reconciliation
Public Policy Institute of California, April 18, 2011
Managing California's Water: From Conflict to Reconciliation, co-authored by Buzz Thompson, co-director of the Woods Institute for the Environment, proposes moving away from the current strategy of taking desperate action to save one species at a time under the federal and state Endangered Species acts. Instead, the authors argue for a broader approach - creating better conditions for many species and addressing the multiple causes of ecosystem decline. Read more >
Managing California's Water: From Conflict to Reconciliation, co-authored by Buzz Thompson, co-director of the Woods Institute for the Environment, proposes moving away from the current strategy of taking desperate action to save one species at a time under the federal and state Endangered Species acts. Instead, the authors argue for a broader approach - creating better conditions for many species and addressing the multiple causes of ecosystem decline. Read more >
Satellite data provide a new way to monitor groundwater aquifers in agricultural regions
Stanford News Service, Dec.13, 2010
Much of the agriculture in the American West depends on underground water systems that need to be carefully monitored to avoid overuse. Traditional data about aquifers are sparse and expensive to obtain. Until now, crops growing above the aquifer prevented satellite-based radar from "seeing" under the surface. But Stanford researchers have found a way around the plant problem. Read more >
Much of the agriculture in the American West depends on underground water systems that need to be carefully monitored to avoid overuse. Traditional data about aquifers are sparse and expensive to obtain. Until now, crops growing above the aquifer prevented satellite-based radar from "seeing" under the surface. But Stanford researchers have found a way around the plant problem. Read more >
Stanford engineers use rocket science to make wastewater treatment sustainable
Stanford News Service, July 26, 2010
Researchers encourage bacteria that produce nitrous oxide and methane in sewage sludge. The gases can then be cleanly burned to produce energy to run the plant. Read more >
Researchers encourage bacteria that produce nitrous oxide and methane in sewage sludge. The gases can then be cleanly burned to produce energy to run the plant. Read more >
Using Wastewater as a Resource
Mark Shwartz, The Woods Institute , March 2010
Researchers encourage bacteria that produce nitrous oxide and methane in sewage sludge. The gases can then be cleanly burned to produce energy to run the plant. Read more >
Researchers encourage bacteria that produce nitrous oxide and methane in sewage sludge. The gases can then be cleanly burned to produce energy to run the plant. Read more >