http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=4140 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:36:51 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://cstpr.colorado.edu/prometheus/?p=4140&cpage=1#comment-8501 jfleck Mon, 12 Mar 2007 23:42:06 +0000 http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheusreborn/?p=4140#comment-8501 New Mexico water law clearly recognizes the link between surface water rights and groundwater depletions. Em Hall details the way this came about his terrific book, High and Dry. The interesting thing in the context of your discussion above is that the linkage found its way into the law not because of a recognition of a particular bit of science, but rather (as Hall delightfully recounts) via the abilities of the chief's state water official to play power politics. The science, in fact, remained somewhat murky but the policy moved ahead despite of that murkiness, and in the face of the obvious sort of opposition from aggrieved water pumpers and potential pumpers that is playing out in Montana today. New Mexico water law clearly recognizes the link between surface water rights and groundwater depletions. Em Hall details the way this came about his terrific book, High and Dry. The interesting thing in the context of your discussion above is that the linkage found its way into the law not because of a recognition of a particular bit of science, but rather (as Hall delightfully recounts) via the abilities of the chief’s state water official to play power politics. The science, in fact, remained somewhat murky but the policy moved ahead despite of that murkiness, and in the face of the obvious sort of opposition from aggrieved water pumpers and potential pumpers that is playing out in Montana today.

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