Texas A&M University School of Law Program in Natural Resources Systems
Abstract
This report presents preliminary results of a study investigating the groundwater laws and regulations of thirteen U.S. states. The purpose of the project is eventually to compile and present the groundwater laws and regulations of every state in the United States that could then be used in a series of comparisons of groundwater governance principles, strategies, issues, and challenges. Professor Gabriel Eckstein at Texas A&M University School of Law and Professor Amy Hardberger at Saint Mary’s University Law School developed a matrix to ascertain chief components and characteristics of the groundwater legal regime of each state. Student researchers then used the matrix to respond to a standardized set of questions about the groundwater laws and regulations of a selection of states. Before continuing with assessments of the remaining states, Professors Eckstein and Hardberger present in this report the results developed thus far, and now seek feedback about the overall project, including its objectives, methodology, and preliminary results
