| The purpose of this thesis is to examine the degree to which local water managers in the Boston Metropolitan area are incorporating concerns about climate change into their management strategies and to offer suggestions for future water management in the context of climate change. Water resource management is a system bounded by uncertainties. Changes in population, technology, politics, and social and economic systems influence supply and demand for water to meet human and ecological needs. Climate change is among the factors affecting water resources, and is predicted to alter hydrologic systems in the U.S. Northeast. Issues include changes in seasonal precipitation, sea level rise, flooding and changes in water chemistry that can lead to significant damage to infrastructure and ecology. This thesis examines the potential for municipal water managers to begin to address the affects of climate change. The study includes an analysis of current literature, relevant Federal and Massachusetts policies, and data generated from surveys and interviews conducted with local water managers.; Findings suggest that most municipal agents lack clear understanding of how predicted affects of climate change will impact their management strategies. Though many expressed concern about climate change, no agent reported acting specifically to address future affects of climate change on water resources. Reasons for this lack of action include uncertainties about the timing and degree of adverse affects, competing management priorities, limited financial resources and the magnitude of risk perceived by both managers and local residents. Based on these findings, recommendations were designed that can improve current water management while simultaneously protecting against the affects of climate change. |
