Beyond Chinatown : the Metropolitan Water District, growth, and the environment in southern California / Steven P. Erie ; with the assistance of Harold Brackman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Erie, Steven P.

Contributor:

Brackman, Harold David.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sustainable development--California, Southern.

Sustainable development.

Environmental policy--California, Southern.

Environmental policy.

Water-supply--California, Southern.

Water-supply.

Metropolitan areas.

Southern California.

Metropolitan areas--California, Southern.

Physical Description:

xvii, 364 pages : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Stanford : Stanford University Press, 2006.

Summary:

As urban growth outstrips water supplies, how can the global challenge of providing "liquid gold" be met? Mixing history and policy analysis, Steven Erie tells the compelling story of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, one of the world's largest and most important public water agencies, and its role in building the world's eighth largest economy in a semi-desert. No tawdry tale of secret backroom conspiracies-as depicted in the famed film noir Chinatown-this fresh telling concerns an unheralded regional institution, its entrepreneurial public leadership, and pioneering policymaking.

Using untapped primary sources, the author re-examines this great regional experiment from its obscure 1920s-era origins to today's daunting mission of drought management, environmental stewardship, and post-9/11 supply security. A key focus is MWD's navigation of recent epic water battles: San Diego's combative quest for water independence; lingering conflicts over the Colorado River; and the myriad challenges posed by water markets, privatization, and water transfers. Beyond Chinatown concludes by considering MWD's Integrated Resources Plan as a global model for water-resources planning and management. Chinatown's seductive mythologies have long obscured MWD's authentic, instructive history and lessons.

Contents:

Mighty Metropolitan

Ghosts of Chinatown: from L.A.'s DWP to MWD

Building and financing an empire : balancing growth and equity

David and Goliath? San Diego's quixotic quest for independence

Empire under siege: Colorado River and bay-delta battles

Turbulent waters? Metropolitan faces water markets

MWD agonistes: 21st century challenges

Charting a new course.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [267]-336) and index.

ISBN:

0804751390

0804751404

OCLC:

62326677

Publisher Number:

9780804751407