Ecology, Planning, and River Management in the United States: Some Historical Reflections

摘要: River ecologists are also river-basin planners. However, their role in planning has developed slowly over the decades since beginning of 20th century. Three major factors explain this phenomenon. First, focused on plant and animal communities rather than broader policy issues related to land settlement water development. Second, federal government, most state local governments as well, used mainly economic criteria justify projects. Intangible benefits, including value species or an aesthetically pleasing landscape, drew relatively little attention. Third, public generally favored development, especially during Great Depression 1930s. Only after World War II did public's position shift favor more preservation, concept ecosystem, large dam projects forced basin inhabitants from homes, chemical nuclear pollutants threatened environment. Also, urbanization increased support for preservation recreation sites streams undisturbed by human intervention. Meanwhile, partly through important advances geomorphology hydrology, acquired new tools understand land-water relationship within river basins. Neverthless, benefit-cost analysis continued dominate water- resources planning, organizational culture competing overlapping bureaucracies hampered rational administration. Environmental groups physical, natural, even social scientists began promote alternative ways develop rivers. Today, ideas integrated management, sustainable comprehensive management much thinking about future course United States. Any must include who can help colleagues choose among choices that balance ecological demands, provide advice when guidance is drafted, assist engineers designing lead ecologically responsible solutions, monitor results.