Mind Map of The Colorado River – The Sharing of Water Crisis: Multiparty Negotiations
This mind map assignment measures your mastery of ULOs 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9.
What is a Mind Map? A mind map is a visual technique used to organize information and processes. It begins with a central starting point (Main Idea) and branches out, resembling a modified spider web.
You have been hired because of your mosaic negotiation skills to mind map and display the configuration of the central main idea of the Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis, along with all the multiple parties involved in the negotiations and their supporting content.
The intent of the mind map is to display a comprehensive overview of the entire negotiation process, outline the challenges involved, the complexities of the issue, and the connections-links that allow effective negotiation and decision-making in a real-world situation.
Requirement:
Research the Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis using the articles provided in this unit. You may also choose to do further research beyond these articles.
Create a mind map of the Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis and Negotiations using items A-Q below.
You must add a small amount of content to each area on the actual map. For example, you might provide the states who are involved and list their positions.
Written content giving more of a descriiption about each area from the map should be no less than 75 words for each section (A-Q) and placed on a separate document. You are required to only choose 8 of the 17 a-q items.
You are encouraged to brainstorm further and include more content as necessary.
Mind Map Required Content:
a. States involved (Upper Basin, Lower Basin)
b. Allocation requirements of the water
c. Positions and target requirements for each party
d. Other outside parties involved (Native American tribes, water agencies, governors, environmentalists, scientists, number of people relying on the water, The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation)
e. Outside pressures (Residents, farmers, city leaders, Native American tribes, politicians, news media, outside audiences, constituents)
f. Intangibles
g. Mindsets of parties (Bias, state, local, outside audiences, etc.)
h. Conflicts with audiences (causes, perceptions, responses)
i. Impact of conflict and irrational decision-making
j. State interests, positions
k. Problems and Issues (individual states, outside parties)
l. Trust, relationships, integrity
m. Laws, regulations, “The Law of the River”
n. Lake Mead and Lake Powell reservoirs
o. Challenges involved in the multi-party negotiation
p. Flood control and irrigation
q. Drought contingency plans
Possible branches to add onto the a-q items from above:
Governments and Water Authorities, Native American Tribes involved in each state, Dealing with conflict, Ideology, Stakeholders, Bargaining power, Relationship, Trust, Transparency, Planning, Ability to Change, Politics, Protocol, Group versus Individual, Emotionalism, Constituents, Outside audiences, Shared values, Tightness-looseness of behaviors and actions, States involved (upper-lower basis), positions of each state, Current agreements, tactics, goals, benefits, strategy, purpose, conflict, resolution.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step-by-Step Guide for the Mind Map and Written Content:
1. Research the Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis:
Before starting, you need to conduct thorough research on the Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis. Look into articles provided in the unit, and feel free to expand your research by exploring credible resources about water rights, the history of the “Law of the River,” and the various parties involved (states, tribes, environmentalists, etc.). Understanding the roles of different stakeholders and the core issues is essential.
2. Create the Central Idea of the Mind Map:
- The central starting point of the mind map should be the Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis.
- Branch out from this central point, showing how the crisis involves various parties, legal issues, water distribution, and the specific challenges of the negotiations.
3. Choose 8 Areas from A-Q to Focus on:
You need to select 8 of the 17 items (A-Q) to develop detailed explanations for. Here are suggestions based on the main topics:
- a. States involved (Upper Basin, Lower Basin)
- d. Other outside parties involved
- e. Outside pressures
- h. Conflicts with audiences
- j. State interests, positions
- m. Laws, regulations, “The Law of the River”
- n. Lake Mead and Lake Powell reservoirs
- q. Drought contingency plans
4. Develop Each Section (75 Words Each):
For each of the 8 sections you choose, you’ll need to provide no less than 75 words of description. Below is a guide for writing detailed explanations of each section:
Example Sections:
A. States Involved (Upper Basin, Lower Basin)
Upper Basin States: The Upper Basin of the Colorado River includes Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. These states are tasked with providing a specific amount of water to the Lower Basin, with a priority for maintaining water flow and usage rights.
Lower Basin States: The Lower Basin includes California, Nevada, and Arizona. These states depend on water from the Colorado River to sustain agricultural, urban, and industrial activities, with California having the largest share of the water.
The tension lies in ensuring fair distribution given the drought conditions affecting both regions.
D. Other Outside Parties Involved
A variety of outside parties, such as Native American Tribes, environmentalists, water agencies, governors, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, play significant roles in the Colorado River negotiations. Native American tribes, many of whom hold water rights, have become more active in negotiations in recent years. Environmentalists advocate for sustainable water use and preservation of ecosystems. Water agencies and local governments seek to balance their water needs with conservation efforts. The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for managing water allocations and overseeing compliance.
E. Outside Pressures
There are significant outside pressures on the negotiation process from various constituencies. Farmers and residents in the Lower Basin demand reliable water supplies for agriculture and daily use. City leaders and politicians often push for policies that secure water for growing urban populations. News media reports on the crisis regularly, influencing public opinion and, consequently, political action. These external pressures can shape the strategies and decisions of negotiators, complicating the resolution process.
H. Conflicts with Audiences
One of the key challenges in the Colorado River negotiations is the conflict with various audiences. For instance, environmentalists may clash with agricultural interests over the allocation of water, arguing that the ecosystem is being harmed by over-extraction. State-level politicians may also have conflicting interests based on the needs of their local constituents, further exacerbating the negotiation process. These perceptions and responses often lead to a lack of trust, which hinders collaboration and effective decision-making.
J. State Interests, Positions
Each state has specific interests and positions in the negotiations. The Upper Basin states, including Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah, are concerned about maintaining water flow to the Lower Basin while ensuring that they can meet their future water needs. The Lower Basin states, particularly California, have a more immediate concern about securing water for agricultural and urban use. Arizona’s position is somewhat more complicated, as it is a part of both basins and seeks an equitable solution that does not disadvantage either basin.
M. Laws, Regulations, “The Law of the River”
The Law of the River refers to the body of laws, treaties, and court rulings that govern water rights and allocations for the Colorado River. The key legal document is the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which divided the river’s flow between the Upper and Lower Basins. Over time, amendments and agreements, such as the 1944 Mexican Water Treaty, have shaped the negotiations. This intricate legal framework creates challenges for negotiators trying to accommodate modern water demands while adhering to the law.
N. Lake Mead and Lake Powell Reservoirs
The Lake Mead and Lake Powell reservoirs are two major water storage sites on the Colorado River. These reservoirs help regulate water flow to the Lower Basin and ensure that states meet their water demands during periods of drought. However, due to reduced snowpack and ongoing drought, both reservoirs have seen their water levels drop significantly. The declining levels have raised concerns about water availability for millions of people and exacerbate the tensions between states and competing interests.
Q. Drought Contingency Plans
The Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) is a coordinated effort among the seven Colorado River states to manage the river’s water resources during drought conditions. The plan aims to reduce water usage in times of low reservoir levels to prevent catastrophic shortages. Key measures include reducing allocations to states with the largest water shares, especially Arizona and California, and implementing water-saving measures for agriculture. The effectiveness of the DCP is critical to ensuring long-term water security for the region.
5. Create the Mind Map:
Using software like MindMeister, Lucidchart, or even drawing by hand, create a visual mind map of the Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis. Begin with the central idea and branch out to the sections you’ve written. Here’s a basic example structure:
- Central Idea: Colorado River Water Sharing Crisis
- Branch 1: States Involved
- Branch 2: Other Outside Parties
- Branch 3: Outside Pressures
- Branch 4: Conflicts with Audiences
- Branch 5: State Interests
- Branch 6: Laws and Regulations
- Branch 7: Lake Mead and Lake Powell
- Branch 8: Drought Contingency Plans
- Each branch should link to sub-branches and content boxes that describe each aspect in detail, as discussed in your written content.
6. Final Touches:
- Review your mind map and ensure that all relevant points are connected logically.
- Ensure each of the sections you’ve selected is clear and comprehensible.
- Finalize your document with the required word count for each description and ensure all content aligns with the provided instructions.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily! 
Does your paper clearly outline the facts, dilemma, outcome, and alternative solutions?