Review of Water Resources Planning by Andrew A. Dzurik

Abstract

This is the third edition of a basic text on the broad subject of water resources planning. The author has apparently added new material in the form of a Web site listing, some new text, and new tables to update dated material, such as a listing of models in use. All-in-all, however, the text appears to be little changed from the author’s first two editions. In any event, the author offers an interesting sample of water resources planning and management topics, written at a basic level. This is a very broad field, and, as the author acknowledges, it is difficult to stipulate prerequisites for learning in such a broad field. Prerequisites, according to the author, would be basic math and science, intellectual maturity, and an interest in the subject. The author is a professor of environmental engineering at the FSU-FAMU College of Engineering, located at Florida State University. He has served as a resident scholar with the Corps of Engineers where he obtained federal experience. He teaches and writes in the fields of water planning and environmental policy. As with the earlier editions, the current volume is a clear and straightforward presentation of a range of topics. These include hydrology, law, organization, legislation, the planning process, economics, applications, models, environmental issues, and future directions. Having also prepared a text on the same topic, this reviewer concurs in general with the book’s organization and scope but would differ on the details of the list of important topics. One surprise was the author’s chapter on ‘‘Federal Water Agencies and Legislation.’’ The reviewer expected to find text about agency structure, programs, and politics, but the chapter is really an extension of the previous one, and covers water and environmental law. The chapter’s introduction specifies that it is divided into two parts, but the second part dominates. Moreover, the chapter’s introduction specifies that it is an introduction to the federal ‘‘regulatory scheme,’’ but federal agency resource activities go beyond regulatory programs. The book apparently meets a demand for a clear presentation of the basic aspects of water resources planning. Its features that seem worthy of praise include broad coverage, a clear presentation, and the author’s success in writing to a wide audience. Also, the new inclusion of a listing of Web sites should be useful. Although the book is comprehensive in scope, a number of important topics are either left out or not covered in detail. For example, there is no coverage of irrigation, one of the most important water management topics in the West. Similarly, there is no coverage of planning for wastewater treatment infrastructure. Also, in the midst of one of the worst droughts in memory for parts of the country, there is no mention of droughts or drought contingency planning. Environmental issues in planning seem mostly relegated to a chapter on ‘‘other planning issues.’’ Knowing the author is more up-to-date than that, this reviewer suspects