Braving the Currents: Evaluating Environmental Conflict Resolution in the River Basins of the American West

Braving the Currents systematically identifies, applies, and evaluates criteria to define success in complex multi-party natural resource disputes. The authors elucidate the full range of criteria for defining success that researchers, stakeholders, and practitioners have relied on as they have participated in, and reflected upon, environmental conflict resolution (CR) efforts. They examine 28 "success" criteria from many angles, present a method for systematically considering all the elements necessary for successful environmental CR, and then apply this analytic framework to eight specific western U.S. water conflicts. The criteria are assessed in terms of their accessibility, reliability, validity, and overall usefulness in evaluating specific conflict cases and different resolution methods. The book concludes with observations about successfully resolved disputes, a summary of what the authors have learned through their extensive evaluations, and a discussion of how public policies can contribute to dispute prevention and management. While the cases focus on water conflicts, their processes and assessments are applicable to a wide body of cases. At the suggestion of academic reviewers, the authors have included "Appendix A: A Guidebook", which enhances the book's text applicability by providing detailed instructions for case documentation and analysis. This book will be of particular interest to students and instructors of conflict resolution, environmental studies, public policy, negotiation, and resource management; public and private sector managers, researchers, practitioners, and attorneys; and conflict resolution professionals.