Lit Review:

            Water policy encompasses many different types of sources, scholarly and otherwise.  Everything from children’s books to environmental ethics books portrays different types of water use, conservation, and policy recommendations.  Knowing that there is an abundance of literary sources can be helpful in determining how to act when considering water policy and conservation.

            The book Blueprint for the Environment gives an overview on a wide variety of issues and solutions, many having to do with water management.  It includes legislation, scientific studies, congressional jurisdiction, and programs on water management in the United States.  It is a valuable resource for environmental legislation because it does not go too in-depth, but rather gives the reader an overview of many different issues involving water, fisheries, agriculture and more.  This is especially helpful when considering national policies.¹

            Clayton Denman wrote a chapter on small towns in The Voter’s Guide To Environmental Politics.  This chapter reflects some of the problems that small towns face with the expansion of large cities and the pressures to “grow” and “develop industrially.”²  He also makes suggestions for controlling large industries that try to stop  valuable environmental policies from being passed.  Oftentimes, industries in small towns will use their leverage as a large employer of townspeople to inhibit environmental legislation.³  This chapter reveals a lot of the problems that small Minnesota towns face, or will face as larger cities expand.

            Environmental Policy which is edited by Norman Vig and Michael Craft is a good source for national and local water policy.  They mention the national wild and scenic river act, but don’t address Minnesota’s specifically.⁴  This book is excellent because it specializes on localized environmental case studies and includes a wide range of information on water policy. 

            James Slazman and Barton H. Thompson Jr.’s book on policy and law has a very through section on the Clean Water Act.  This is important background information for any type of United States water policy research.  One section on navigable waters, in particular, is very applicable.⁵  Many of the aforementioned texts also have information on the Clean Water Act. 

            Though many more books are worth mentioning, one more book that will receive mention here is John S. Dryzek’s The Politics of the Earth.  Dryzek gives examples of the waste that is caused by current United States policy under the Bureau of Reclamation.  This book also includes an interesting example of British fishermen’s ability to sue polluters when water becomes unfit for fish and fishing, and explains the positive implications this has had on Britain’s rivers.⁶  It is always important to take note of effective environmental and water policy initiatives.

Water policy is an important part of environmental policy.  Almost any environmental policy book will have sections on water protection because a healthy environment necessitates clean water.   

                                                            Works Cited

1. Comp, Allan, eds., Blueprint for the Environment: A plan for Federal Action. (Salt Lake City: Howe Bothers, 1989, p.61)
2. De Bell, Garrett, eds., The Voters Guide to Environmental Politics: Before, During, and After the Election.  (New York City: Ballantine Books, Inc., p. 99)
3. De bell, Garret, eds., The Voters…  (p.101)
4. Vig, Norman., Kraft, Michael, eds., Environmental Policy:New Directions for the Twenty First Century.  (Washington D.C.:  CQ Press, 2003, p.11)
5. Salzman, James, et. Environmental Law and Policy.  (New York City: Foundation Press, 2003., p.129)