Research Article
Mar 1979
Economics and Water Resources Planning in America
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of the Water Resources Planning and Management Division
Volume 105, Issue 1
Abstract
In the United States the year 1776 marked the beginning of a government dedicated to develop abundant unclaimed resources for the benefit of common people. It also marked the publication of Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith as the beginning of modern economics. Since then, proponents and opponents of project development schemes for navigation, irrigation, flood control, hydroelectric power, and water quality have desired economic arguments to support their positions. While economic comparisons have gained widespread application in project design, they have seldom decided project selection. In order to get away from using economics at the project selection level largely to defend decisions already made, economic analysis needs to be restructured by more effective use of the information storage and retrieval capabilities of modern computers so that relevant information from any viewpoint can be quickly provided to people or communities making water management decisions. The goal is to get crusaders to listen to facts before committing themselves and society.
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Information
Published In
Journal of the Water Resources Planning and Management Division
Volume 105 • Issue 1 • March 1979
Pages: 47 - 64
Copyright
© 1979 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Mar 1979
Published online: Feb 12, 2021
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Authors
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L. Douglas James, M.ASCE
Dir., Utah Water Research Lab., Utah State Univ., Logan, Utah
Jerry R. Rogers, M.ASCE
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Houston, Houston, Tex
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ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.