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SUMMARY OF CRITICAL MANAGEMENT ISSUES ISSUES THAT INVOLVE THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF BASIN MANAGEMENT Issues that involve the institutional framework of basin management drew a large number of comments. General themes centered on greater cooperation and planning, more flexibility in management, and better integration of issues and the information needed to resolve issues. The need for better coordination between managers, users, nations, scientists, and basins was a common theme. While many comments urged varying degrees of change to the management framework, several commented on the need to recognize where the present structure has served well. Many comments tar- geted the need for a common vision, a broad perspective and basin-wide planning to minimize conflicts, reduce litigation (although, as one comment pointed out, as long as there are legal divisions there will be litigation), and provide regional dispute res- olution. Problems with management of large geographical areas, the preeminence of states rights, and need for a more local voice was also recognized. Several comments suggested that state issues be resolved within the state. , The need for the effective integration of scientific data and information into manage- ment and the importance of education and knowledge were identified by many stake- holders. Appropriate funding mechanisms were considered critical to many of the issues raised. Mechanisms to allow implementation of temporary, long-term water transfers and the need for greater certainty that agreements will hold in the long-term were identified. Effective mechanisms for meaningful, affordable participation, the importance of edu- cation of the public on management issues and the benefits of better communication between managers and the public were often mentioned. The difficulties in incorpo- rating the cultural and economic institutions into management were noted. Most comments identified the need for inclusive rather than exclusive processes although a few disagreed, suggesting that stakeholder definition be limited to those receiving direct entitlements. Several comments pointed to a lack of coordination between managers and between managers and users and the difficulty in integrating agencies with differing mandates. Many commented on the need for better integration of scientific understanding into management and the lack of standardized methods for science.