The Challenge of Externally Generated Collaborative Governance: California’s Attempt at Regional Water Management

The lack of coordination in water management among cities, counties, private utilities and special districts can impede the formation and implementation of sound regional water policy. An integrated, consensus-oriented and deliberative approach to resource management – known as “collaborative governance” – can be helpful in carrying out public policy, but it still has its challenges. A new paper by Bruce Cain, Elisabeth Gerber, and Iris Hui examines these challenges, particularly the tensions involved in balancing a regional approach with local autonomy.