water in the rocky mountain west, 2025
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Understanding Beliefs and Values to… Move from Debate to Dialogue Dr. Lyn Kathlene Dr. Robert Ward Colorado Institute of Public Policy Colorado State University MaryLou Smith Aqua Engineering, Inc. Colorado Water Workshop July 28, 2006. Water in the Rocky Mountain West, 2025. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Understanding Beliefs and Values to…Move from Debate to Dialogue
Dr. Lyn KathleneDr. Robert Ward
Colorado Institute of Public PolicyColorado State University
MaryLou SmithAqua Engineering, Inc.
Colorado Water WorkshopJuly 28, 2006
Understanding Beliefs and Values
Instead of fighting for favorite solutions (positions)
Step back to understand the beliefs and values (interests) those positions are based on
The Water Survey
Q-Methodology—assign different weights to beliefs and values statements
Used in contentious policy arenas
Important to have the full range of stakeholders participate, but numbers not so important
Six Belief Types
Statewide Economic Growth
Environmental Concerns
Living within Our Limits
Stay the Course
Broken System
State Rights
Everyone agreed…
Water is fundamental to the economy.
An appropriated right does not mean water will be available for use.
Agricultural water is the prime target for water transfers to urban and recreational uses.
Most everyone agreed...
Money has become the driver for allocating water.
The market is not always the appropriate method for allocating water.
It is important to protect existing individual water rights.
Water court decisions have been favorable to agricultural interests.
Current water law is quite functional.
But they disagreed about…
The “use it or lose it” doctrine. Whether there is a disconnect
between land use and water planning.
Whether the recent drought proved the current water system works well or not.
Whether there is plenty of water if used wisely; or
If new water needs to be developed.
Whether or not environmental claims have adequate legal standing.
An example of shared beliefs…
Statewide Economic Growthand
Environmental Concerns
1. Environmental needs should have similar standing in water law;
2. Water conservation are important policies to implement;
3. Using less water does not mean our quality of life will be lowered; and
4. Markets are not always the best mechanism for allocating water.
An example of conflicting beliefs…
Statewide Economic Growthversus
Environmental Concerns
Differ on whether or not land use planning and water planning are adequately connected:
The Statewide Economic Growth group believes the current system is working fine.
The Environmental Concerns strongly believe these is a disconnect between the two types of planning, which is detrimental to the long-term sustainability of water.
What can we do with what we learned?
Do we see commonalities we didn’t know or consider before?
Can understanding “where we come from” help us move from debate to dialogue about the future of water in Colorado?
“If conversations within the water community begin with values and
beliefs, common values can emerge, allowing for a wider range
of positions and more enduring solutions.”
“The water community has not embraced dialogue and
cooperation among all interests as the first and fundamental step
toward addressing challenges. We are beginning to talk about the
potential for such approaches, but have yet to implement them in an
effective manner.”
Debate vs. Dialogue
• We debate positions—what we want
• We have a dialogue about interests (beliefs/values)—why we want it
A Debate over Positions
My position is what I want
• We have to build more storage!
• We have to keep more water in the streams!
A Dialogue about Our Interests (Beliefs and Values)
My interests are why I want it
• We need enough water for the population
• We need to protect the environment
Debate: PolarizesDialogue: Builds on Shared Values
• It is easier to agree on shared values than to agree on positions.
• Agreeing on shared values gives us common ground to start from. We can build solutions from there.
• Even having a dialogue about where we disagree is powerful
Dialogue to Clarify Three Categories of Interests/Values:
• Shared
• Different but Compatible
• Conflicting
Debate vs. Dialogue
We are adversaries We are collaborators
I want to win I want to find common ground
I defend my assumptions as truth
I open up my assumptions for evaluation
I defend my views I admit your ideas can improve my view
Only one right answer Several possible options
Debate vs. Dialogue
I listen so I can make counter arguments
I listen to understand and seek agreement
I search for flaws in your position
I look for strengths in your position
I seek results favorable to me
I seek results which can unite us
May save time in the short run
Usually saves time in the long run
To incorporate beliefs and values into decisions about water:
• Clarify the interests (values)
• Recognize the commonalities
• Understand the differences
• Face the challenges
• Work toward innovative strategies