California wild and scenic rivers : an institutional analysis

Abstract

Presented is an examination and analysis of a failed river protection institution in California from the 1960s to the early 1980s focusing on the California Wild and Scenic River Act of 1972. This act was designed to protect valued North Coast rivers, but its implementation failed under intense political pressure from two diametrically opposed and entrenched coalitions. This case study is primarily viewed under a lens of institutional analysis developed by Elinor Ostrom and the Indiana School of Public Choice. This method describes institutions as rules. When data allows, the river protection institution is enriched beyond rule based descriptions using other approaches which address relationships between individuals, organizations, and the structure of the institution. In conclusion, key lessons are identified which constitute important issues to policy-makers attempting to design or reform institutions. Also, methodologic questions raised during the analysis are discussed.