Ecosystem-Based Management in the Colorado River Delta

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The Colorado River Delta (CRD) is only 8% of its original size and is mainly sustained on agricultural run-off. Ecosystem-based management (EBM), the process of controlling human activities to protect, conserve, and enhance the quality of ecosystems to meet current and future needs, provides a way forward. This study uses nine common EBM principles to analyze legislation, research, management plans, and community actions of six major CRD institutions, establishing a governance baseline. Specific resulting recommendations include extending Intentionally Created Surplus to Mexico, testing Mexico’s National Water Law amendments, and adding a Minute to the U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty to make EBM functional. Furthermore, the EBM principles of ecosystem valuation, the precautionary approach, and adaptive management can be made more operable through cooperative restoration, experimentation, and demonstration, strengthening the CRD governance system. There is currently a window of opportunity to dedicate an instream flow to the CRD and encourage EBM.