USING AN ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK TO INFORM MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENTITLEMENTS

Abstract

There is much in the scientific literature dealing with methods to determine environmental water requirements in streams. However, most of these methods are suited to long-term water resource planning and setting regulatory targets. In Australia, the environment is now recognized as a legitimate user of water with its own water entitlement.With this in mind, and in the context of a water market, transparent decisions need to be made as to how best to utilize environmental water reserves on yearly, monthly or even daily basis. Environmental water managers must identify priority flow components and environmental assets. This will call for information on environmental water requirements to be p..