Water resources planning in a federation of states: Equity versus efficiency Author Howe C. Journal/Series Natural Resources Journal | Vol. 36(1); 29- 36; 7 p. Date 1996 Source IUCN (ID: ANA-058566) Publisher | Place of publication University of New Mexico School of Law | Albuquerque, NM, USA Language English Country/Territory United States of America Subject Water Keyword Freshwater resources management Local government Abstract Equity and efficiency are inextricably tied together since the prices used in efficiency analyses depend on the distribution of wealth. Beyond that, many equity considerations have efficiency implications when evaluated in the appropriate geographical and temporal context. In some situations, there are genuine efficiency-equity tradeoffs, but in many situations building equity into policy or projet design also will enhance efficiency. Appropriate governing institutions that more closely correspond with the resource systems being governed help assure appropriate consideration of both efficiency and equity.