Property right protection and aquifer development management are the primary goals of groundwater agencies in the western United States. A variety of implementation strategies are used to foster these goals. Some strategies are more discretionary than others; some are more encouraging of local decision-making; some are intended to promote renewal rather than depletion of groundwater resources. This research identifies and classifies legislative, administrative, and judicial groundwater management approaches. Each category of approach is evaluated in terms of the effectiveness and the equity with which the goals of property right protection and aquifer development management are met. The management methods which most effectively and equitably protect property rights and control aquifer development are recommended. These methods limit the cumulative extent of drawdown caused by well interference and establish a maximum allowable rate of static water level decline.