Abstract

The CIG's goal in this paper is to construct a broad framework for creating appropriate water policy to cope with the regional impacts of climate change, to outline the kinds of planning efforts that could most usefully incorporate climate change information, and to discuss some important institutional issues associated with the facilitation and implementation of long-range adaptation strategies. We close by presenting a catalog and discussion of some potential adaptation strategies that could compose the elements of specific long-range plans, including conventional infrastructure changes, conservation and demand management, technical innovations, water banks and water markets, and improvements in hydrologic forecasting, information systems, and associated water management practices. The paper is one of three White Papers prepared for the Climate Impacts Group's 2001 Climate and Water Policy meeting.