Nap: Irrigation–induced Water Quality Problems: What Can Be Learned From The San Joa Vall Ex - Softcover

NAP

 
9780309040365: Nap: Irrigation–induced Water Quality Problems: What Can Be Learned From The San Joa Vall Ex
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0309040361 ISBN 13: 9780309040365
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1991

Synopsis

When waterfowl began to die from selenium poisoning at Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge in California's San Joaquin Valley, considerable alarm arose among environmental and agricultural specialists. This new volume suggests that Kesterson is not a unique problem and the events there offer important lessons for the future.

Irrigation-Induced Water Quality Problems uses the San Joaquin experience to suggest how we can prepare for similar problems elsewhere. As one committee member put it, "There will be elsewheres"―trace elements and organic contaminants are being concentrated by irrigation in many river basins.

This book addresses how the Kesterson crisis developed, how irrigation can endanger water quality, and how economic, legal, and other factors impede our ability to respond to water quality problems. The committee explores how to study these problems, unraveling complex issues and clarifying the varying perspectives of farmers, environmentalists, scientists, and other key figures.

This dispassionate analysis of a controversial topic will be useful to policymakers, resource managers, and agricultural specialists and farmers, as well as specialists in hydrology, water quality, irrigation, law, and environmental quality. It will also be useful as a case study in the environmental policy classroom.

Table of Contents
  • Front Matter
  • Executive Summary
  • Introduction: Kesterson as an Example of a Broader Problem
  • Understanding the Scientific Dimensions of an Environmental Problem
  • Understanding the Institutional Dimensions of an Environmental Problem
  • Resolving Problems: Essential Study Elements
  • Resolving Problems: Identifying and Evaluating Alternatives
  • Recommendations
  • Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
  • Appendix B: Calendar of the Committee's Activities
  • Appendix C: Summary of the Committee's Letter Reports
  • Index

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Committee on Irrigation-Induced Water Quality Problems, National Research Council

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Publication date
1991
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0309040361
ISBN 13 
9780309040365
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
172