Computer-aided dispute resolution (CADRe) is an approach to decision-making that supports negotiation among disagreeing parties with computer simulation models. CADRe refers to various, largely independent and isolated efforts to integrate two rapidly growing, but largely distinct approaches to decision-making: negotiation/bargaining as a means of resolving water resource decision making disputes and development of computer based systems models intended to support water resource management.

In 2006 an initiative of the White House’s Subcommittee on Water Availability and Quality (SWAQ) (pdf, 55.9 kB) identified recommended focusing on this “integration of computer based modeling tools within multi-stakeholder public decision processes for US water solutions.”  This CADRe website serves as a first step as a focal point for that interagency federal initiative.

On September 13-14, 2007, in Albuquerque NM, IWR, Sandia and U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution held the first-ever workshop on Computer Aided Dispute Resolution (CADRe).  Fifty-two people from six federal agencies, three national laboratories, irrigation districts, state government, river basin commissions, universities, nonprofits and the private sector came together to share experiences as practitioners and promoters of CADRe for water resource planning and management.  The workshop produced recommendations from six working groups:  Neutrality and objectivity in CADRe processes, Integrating CADRe into NEPA, Education and Training in CADRe, Community Building and Outreach – the Wiki, CADRe software and models, and Research Needs.