Abstract Despite sustained attention to water resource issues in the Great Lakes and around the world, many water problems remain unresolved because their sources or causes are external to the water sector. Water governance often is based on water-centric problem framings that do not take sufficient account of the role of external actors, institutions, and drivers. Recognition of this problem is growing, but identifying external connections and addressing the critical ones is challenging for water managers. Using a flexible diagnostic process, we explore external factors that are relevant in the context of the Detroit River Area of Concern (AOC) between Canada and the United States. We used a two-case multiple case study research design, triangulating data gathered from 28 key informant interviews, review of 58 documents, and personal observations. We find that the AOC program is intentionally narrowly-focused to achieve its objectives, and that a water-centric perspective may in fact be needed for delisting the Detroit River as an AOC. However, there are broader issues beyond those considered in the AOC process that affect the river, including climate change, invasive species, population and land use change, shifting public perceptions, and an unstable institutional environment. To address these external challenges, practitioners should consider engaging more proactively with the topic of “life after delisting”, and connecting more strongly with existing initiatives and networks in the area with the help of “boundary spanners.” Strengthening binational ties within the AOC, and clarifying the role of AOCs in the large governance environment are also important.

中文翻译：

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在底特律河受关注地区的“水箱”之外思考

摘要 尽管五大湖和世界各地的水资源问题一直受到关注，但许多水问题仍未得到解决，因为它们的来源或原因在水部门之外。水治理通常基于以水为中心的问题框架，没有充分考虑外部参与者、机构和驱动因素的作用。对这个问题的认识越来越多，但识别外部联系并解决关键问题对水资源管理者来说是一项挑战。使用灵活的诊断过程，我们探索了与加拿大和美国之间的底特律河流域关注区 (AOC) 相关的外部因素。我们使用了两个案例多案例研究设计，对从 28 次关键知情人访谈、58 份文件的审查和个人观察中收集的数据进行三角测量。我们发现 AOC 计划有意将重点放在实现其目标的范围内，并且实际上可能需要以水为中心的观点才能将底特律河从 AOC 中除名。然而，除了 AOC 过程中考虑的问题之外，还有更广泛的问题会影响河流，包括气候变化、入侵物种、人口和土地利用变化、公众观念的转变以及不稳定的制度环境。为应对这些外部挑战，从业者应考虑更积极地参与“退市后的生活”主题，并在“边界扳手”的帮助下与该领域现有的举措和网络建立更紧密的联系。加强 AOC 内的两国关系，明确 AOC 在大治理环境中的作用也很重要。