Decentralization of Mexican environmental and water policy: Baja California and Sonora

Abstract

The last twenty years have brought heightened concern for environmental conditions in Mexico. In an attempt to deal with the increased demand placed upon the environment and thus the rising concern for the state of the environment in the diverse regions of Mexico, Mexico's recent administrations have stated support for the decentralization of environmental policies. Within Mexico, the northern border states have taken the lead in moving forward with the process of decentralization. However, even among the northern border states there is substantial variation within the process. This dissertation analyzes the process of environmental decentralization within Mexico, examining the affects of social, economic and political variations on capacity building for decentralization. Two case studies, Baja California and Sonora, are explored in detail in order to examine variation within the process of environmental decentralization. Additionally comparisons and contrasts between two types of environmental polices, environmental protection and water policies are also explored. Results discuss variations and suggest the importance of elements for capacity building, in addition to drawing general conclusions about Mexico's process of decentralization.