Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1986-05 edition. Excerpt: ...techniques. In the Kesterson case, for example, science can determine the concentrations of selenium that are toxic to waterfowl or define the relationship between increasing salt concentrations and crop production. But science cannot judge which is more valuable, the crop or the waterfowl, nor can science assign values to predicted outcomes. As was discussed in Chapter 3, it is in this sense that the parallel involvement of ethics, law, economics, politics, and public policy has made the problems in the San Joaquin Valley particularly difficult to define and solve. Finding solutions to environmental problems like those caused by irrigation drainage requires difficult choices. Thus the equity and effectiveness of the process used to seek, evaluate, and implement potential solutions become critically important. For this reason, good study design is essential. Concurring with an earlier National Research Council Study, Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Problem-Solving: Concepts and Case Studies (National Research Council, 1986), the framework presented here is "in essence, an admonition to think before acting and to use established scientific principles." Although that National Research Council study focused on the environmental impact assessment process, this committee's activities have strongly reinforced many of the same messages. This report also reinforces many points about sound study design for long-term monitoring as were highlighted in another National Research Council study, River and Dam Management: A Review of the Bureau of Reclamation's Glen Canyon Environmental Studies (National Research Council, 1987). The purpose of this chapter is to highlight key elements that the committee believes are essential in addressing...
