Description
Emergence of a toxic organism like pfisteria in tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay has focused public attention on potential hazards in our water. More importantly, it has reminded us of the importance of the entire watershed to the health of any body of water and how political boundaries complicate watershed management.
New Strategies for America's Watersheds provides a timely and comprehensive look at the rise of "watershed thinking" among scientists and policymakers and recommends ways to steer the nation toward improved watershed management.
The volume defines important terms, identifies fundamental issues, and explores reasons why now is the time to bring watersheds to the forefront of ecosystem management. In a discussion of scale and scope, the committee examines how to expand the watershed from a topographic unit to a framework for integrating natural, social, and economic perspectives as they share the same geographic space. The volume discusses:
- Regional variations in climate, topography, demographics, institutions, land use, culture, and law.
- Roles and interaction of federal, state, and local agencies.
- Availability or lack of pertinent data.
- Options for financing.
The committee identifies critical points in watershed planning to ensure appropriate stakeholder involvement and integration of science, policy, and environmental ethics.
Reviews
"[This book] will be an important reference for planners trying to understand watersheds and implement watershed management programs. ... Comprehensive and detailed, this book succeeds at reviewing the range of scientific and social aspects of watersheds. ... Planning practitioners, researchers, and educators will want to add [this book] to their collections."
--Ann Steinemann, Journal of the American Planning Association, Spring, 2000
|
SIGN UP FOR...
 New Title Emails
Read about the newest releases and receive special offers.
|
