Reallocating water is a politically sensitive issue in the western United States. Changes from agricultural uses to urban or environmental uses are occurring, but the process tends to polarize competing water users, thus creating barriers to reallocation. Other barriers are inherent in the...

pt. 1. Setting the context for water management in New Mexico -- pt. 2. The historical, legal, and institutional setting of water policy in New Mexico -- pt. 3. THe economics of water management in New Mexico -- pt. 4. Contemporary challenges in water management -- pt. 5. Conclusion.