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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (2 results)

  • Article
  • Peer Reviewed
UC Berkeley Previously Published Works (2021)
Evidence-based environmental management requires data that are sufficient, accessible, useful and used. A mismatch between data, data systems, and data needs for decision making can result in inefficient and inequitable capital investments, resource allocations, environmental protection, hazard mitigation, and quality of life. In this paper, we examine the relationship between data and decision making in environmental management, with a focus on water management. We focus on the concept of decision-driven data systems—data systems that incorporate an assessment of decision-makers' data needs into their design. The aim of the research was to examine the process of translating data into effective decision making by engaging stakeholders in the development of a water data system. Using California's legislative mandate for state agencies to integrate existing water and other environmental data as a case study, we developed and applied a participatory approach to inform data-system design and identify unmet data needs. Using workshops and focused stakeholder meetings, we developed 20 diverse use cases to assess data sources, availability, characteristics, gaps, and other attributes of data used for representative decisions. Federal and state agencies made up about 90% of the data sources, and could readily adapt to a federated data system, our recommended model for the state. The remaining 10% of more-specialized data, central to important decisions across multiple use cases, would require additional investment or incentives to achieve data consistency, interoperability, and compatibility with a federated system. Based on this assessment, we propose a typology of different types of data limitations and gaps described by stakeholders. We also propose technical, governance, and stakeholder engagement evaluation criteria to guide planning and building environmental data systems. Data-system governance involving both producers and users of data was seen as essential to achieving workable standards, stable funding, convenient data availability, resilience to institutional change, and long-term buy-in by stakeholders. Our work provides a replicable lesson for using decision-maker and stakeholder engagement to shape the design of an environmental data system, and inform a technical design that addresses both user and producer needs.
    • Article
    Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (2018)

    California’s water management systems are struggling to meet environmental and human needs in the face of stresses from climate, population, and land use changes. Calls to improve the operation, management, and infrastructure of water systems are frequent. Making rational and equitable water management decisions depends upon timely knowledge of the current and projected state of the water system. This, in turn, requires robust data and information. Currently, California’s water data fall far short of the fundamental goal of being complete, accessible, and usable—that is, readily available in formats that suit users’ needs, at relevant spatial and temporal resolutions that are useful for making the decisions at hand. Data sources are incomplete and inconsistent. Fragmented data systems often cannot exchange data with one another. Existing data are frequently difficult to access or use. Ironically, the birthplace of modern information technology lacks both basic information and the capacity to use it effectively to manage its most precious resource. Strategic, coordinated investments in California’s water information infrastructure are necessary. Without basic information on where, when, and how much water is available and being used, as well as physical, chemical, and biological measurements of water quality, we cannot improve how we manage our water resources. A modern water data system that enables accurate, timely, transparent accounting of water supply, quality and use could enhance water security and sustainability. With better and more usable data informing water management, California’s existing water resources could better meet urban, agricultural, ecological and industrial needs. California’s 2016 Open and Transparent Water Data Act (AB 1755) provides an important opportunity for improving the state of water data in California. The bill charges state agencies with integrating currently fragmented water and environmental data systems. However, while AB 1755 provides an opening for improved data systems, the law itself does not ensure increased usability of data for decision making. Increased usability of data requires a broader rethinking of data systems and their interactions as applied to decision making contexts.

      Cover page: Data for Water Decision Making: Informing the Implementation of California's Open and Transparent Water Data Act through Research and Engagement
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