The River Damned

By Alan Paul Price

Abstract

In this dilemma case, Congresswoman Madeline Gibson must cast her vote on the fate of the lower Snake River dams. The stakeholders in this decision represent government agencies, small businesses, large industries, farmers, local tribes, environmentalists, and sports fishermen, and include among them many of her own family members. The case illustrates the conflicts that can arise when environmental concerns force people to reconsider long-standing policies with significant benefits and often entrenched supporters. Developed for an introductory-level environmental geology course, the case could also be used in environmental as well as biology courses.

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Date Posted

06/27/2002

Overview

Objectives

Understand the effect of dams on physical stream processes.
Demonstrate how physical alterations of streams lead to long-term effects on habitat both upstream and downstream from the alteration.
Illustrate how human systems become dependent on large environment-altering structures and, more specifically, to make students aware of how enmeshed various government agencies are in this and other water issues.
Illustrate that the point-of-view of each stakeholder often determines how facts are interpreted and presented to defend or oppose a proposed action.

Keywords

Snake River; salmon; dam removal; fishing; irrigation; power generation; water navigation; water rights; water conflicts; waterways; environmental decision-making; Walla Walla Indians; Pacific Northwest

Subject Headings

Earth Science

Environmental Science

Natural Resource Management

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Policy issues, Regulatory issues, Social issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Dilemma/Decision, Role-Play

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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