Groundwater is critical in Texas, representing 60 percent of total water used in 2008. Water demands in Texas are projected to increase 22 percent, largely from an almost doubling of population, within the next 50 years; this ever-increasing pressure on Texas water supplies underscores the need to optimize management of water resources. The objective of this study was to assess regulations, scientific information, and rulemaking by groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) that support policies that achieve the legislative intent of GCDs to protect and conserve groundwater resources of the states aquifers. This study's scope was the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer and managing GCDs and the following key topics were evaluated 1) management and protection issues; 2) if and how GCDs are utilizing science in development of management plans and rules; 3) whether GCDs are implementing management plans and using enforcement actions; 4) determining if GCDs would have production budgets in conflict with the Regional and State Water Plan and use of the aquifer; 5) and comparing the management plans of GCDs for compatibility. Two online surveys were developed to solicit responses from GCDs and interested parties. Results show that the predominant management issues stemmed from the uncertainty in how groundwater production was regulated and how future permitting would proceed. Environmental interest groups were concerned that GCDs would not adequately incorporate science that supports groundwater production budgets. Stakeholder groups perceived groundwater conservation management as adversely impacting their individual property rights and their region’s ability to develop water management strategies that address projected water budgets. Few formal enforcement actions have been taken by GCDs since 2007. Current water budgets and desired future conditions by the GCDs for the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer do not conflict or result in long-term deficits with respect to water budget projections established by the 2011 Regional Water Plans. GCDs adopted groundwater management plans that addressed goals including conservation and recharge, as outlined in the Texas Water Code, by creating varied objectives and standards. Unanimous public acceptance of the management plans and rules established by the GCDs may never be accomplished, but acceptance will improve through the continuation of public communication, stakeholder coordination, and education. / text

xii, 190 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / The success of heritage conservation districts as a more holistic approach to heritage resource management has been documented around the country. Yukon, Canada has expressed a desire to move beyond traditional approaches to establish district designations. Through detailed examinations of the evolution of districts and of the progression of historic sites management in Canada and the Yukon, best practices will be established and measured against the unique challenges faced in the Territory. Further, an examination of the potential benefits and challenges are discussed and measured against three case studies: downtown Dawson City, Takhini North in Whitehorse and Carcross, Yukon. The case studies provide tangible evidence for the successful implementation of heritage conservation districts as a way to preserve and enhance the Yukon's historic sites. / Committee in Charge: Dr. Michael Hibbard, Chair; Barbara Hogan

The study's purpose was to determine the job satisfaction level of Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) employees during fiscal year 2007-2008. Employee characteristics were identified; three measures of job satisfaction were attained (intrinsic, extrinsic, general satisfaction); and satisfaction levels on 12 specific job aspects were determined. The relationship between job satisfaction and four independent variables (age, gender, education level, primary job responsibility) was assessed. The instrument consisted of an employee characteristics survey, the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) 1977 Short-Form, derived from the MSQ 1967 Long-Form (Weiss, Dawis, England, & Lofquist, 1967), and a modified 2002 Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) survey. Descriptive research statistics were utilized. A total of 185 employees participated, which was an 80% response rate. The majority of employees were characterized as: non-Hispanic, white, female, average age 41 years, married with no children 18 and under living in the home, bachelor's degree, average tenure of 6.52 years, full-time, permanent position, average hourly wage of $14.45 and annual salary of $36,373.54, primary job responsibility "technical." The MSQ found respondents generally and intrinsically satisfied. Greater satisfaction was expressed for variety and social services. Overall respondents were undecided about extrinsic job aspects. Advancement was an area of dissatisfaction. The modified VASWCD survey found respondents satisfied overall. Respondents were "very satisfied" with work schedule, type of work, and board relationships. Employees were less satisfied with health insurance benefits, new employee orientation, and compensation. They were "dissatisfied" with career advancement opportunities and life insurance. Differences in total intrinsic, extrinsic, and general job satisfaction, as measured by the MSQ, based on the independent variables were determined. A one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test were utilized. Since the population of this study violated Levene's Test of Homogeneity, the ANOVA could not be performed for age and intrinsic and general job satisfaction. The ANOVA was performed for all other variables. There was not a significant difference in extrinsic satisfaction among respondents of the various age groups. There were no significant differences in intrinsic, extrinsic, or general job satisfaction for the variables of gender, education level, or primary job responsibility. / Ph. D.

Management of groundwater as a common pool resource relies heavily on an institutional design that is fitted to the aquifers to be managed and is scaled to provide efficient and effective governance. Texas has committed to a decentralized system of groundwater management through Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) that offers a high level of local control and area-specific adaptability. However, increasing pressures on the state’s groundwater resources coupled with a strong local aversion to outsider interference has resulted in a proliferation of small single-county GCDs that are neither well fitted to the aquifer systems nor sufficiently scaled to be efficient or effective. In recognition of these challenges, the persistent response has been a slow transition towards larger-scale management. Although a full transition to centralization via state control is not likely to be politically feasible, it would also be limited in its effectiveness, recognizing the wide diversity of climate conditions, water use patterns, growth projections, and aquifer characteristics that exist across the state. Regionalization is offered as a policy proposal for an institutional arrangement and scale of groundwater governance that provides a balance between centralization and decentralization, using institutions that are better fitted to the aquifer systems and appropriately scaled to provide sufficient funding and resources. The merits and logic of regionalized groundwater management have been recognized as demonstrated by the establishment of the joint regional-planning process within aquifer-based Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs), using GCD representatives as the de facto regional groundwater planners. However, the new unfunded mandates for which the already underfunded GCDs are now responsible and the extraordinary planning process complexity that has developed may prove to be unworkable. This realization compels consideration of management through regional authorities designed using the ready-made framework of the GMAs and principles gleaned from successful models of regionalization from other states and within Texas. Such regional authorities, if provided with sufficient resources and authority, would respect the logic of fit and scale and would be better equipped to address the current and future groundwater management challenges in Texas. / text

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio University, June, 2002. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-79)

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to explore the definitions, benefits, challenges, methods and perceived levels of current collaboration of Virginia’s 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, each a political subdivision of state government. The study was guided by the following questions (1) What is collaboration and how is it used by political subdivisions of state government? (2) What collaborative strategies are used specifically by soil and water conservation districts? (3) At what level are districts currently collaborating? (4) At what level do districts prefer to collaborate? A mixed methods research survey was used. The quantitative section measured current perceptions of collaboration based on six indicators of successful collaborations as determined and tested by the Amherst Wilder Foundation—environment, membership, process and structure, communication, purpose, and resources—through use of its Collaborative Factors Inventory. The qualitative portion allowed further exploration into how districts are utilizing collaboration at a grassroots level. Desired levels of collaboration were also captured. The entire district population—district directors, associate directors, and staff—was surveyed and responses analyzed to better understand collaborative efforts. The results indicate that collaborations occur because of both the resource benefits received and the support of a greater cause—or a mix of relational exchange and resource dependency theories. Of the six collaborative indicators, resources proved the greatest area of concern. The process and structure variable was found to be a second needed area of growth. Trust issues with key partners, a component of the membership variable, were also identified as hindering collaboration. Overall, current perceived levels of collaboration occur between coordination and coalition, or a three to four on a five point scale. However, districts identified a desire to operate more often at the coalition level. By focusing on improvement to process and structure needs as well as resource issues, trust will improve and desired levels of collaboration can be reached. This study will enrich the existing literature by expanding on the use of collaboration as it relates to political subdivisions. Findings will be of value to all conservation districts, with greatest value to Virginia. Partner agencies, policymakers, and public administrators will further benefit by gaining insights into the collaborative process.

No description available.