Understanding the acceptance of market-based instruments for the ecosystem service of water quality

Non point source (NPS) contamination in southern Alberta's agricultural belt is a known issue. While point source contamination is clearly regulated and managed the mandate and responsibility for dealing with NPS water quality issues appears unclear and overlapping. Market-based instruments (MBIs) are being promoted in Alberta as a tool to help meet environmental management goals. This paper explores the role legitimacy, accountability and fit of MBIs based on two sets of semi-structured interviews, conducted to provide the background, context and perceptions around MBIs for water quality. One set of interviews focused on experts in the area of developing, implementing or analyzing MBIs for environmental objectives. The second set of interviews focused on local subject matter experts and knowledgeable stakeholders in the case study areas in southern Alberta. Initial results indicate that while MBIs could have an important role in delivering better water quality outcomes, the issues of fit, accountability and legitimacy need to be addressed in the MBI design process. Currently these are not adequately addressed in the Alberta context MBIs are relatively new tools for environmental management. Q methodology will be employed to further expose the values orientations and perspectives.