Conflict in Governing Water Resources

Andy McGuire is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he studies water conflict and governance.  Through applying both natural and social science methods to a case study in Walworth County, Wisconsin, Andy analyses the complex feedback between natural, social and economic systems at multiple scales to understand the systemic nature of conflict over linked surface-groundwater resources.  His research has identified a lack of governing power at the scale of the problem, forcing communities to devote time and resources to change state law to protect their resources through the court system, providing many challenges for communities attempting to steward their water resources through an uncertain future.