Browsing by Subject "US Forest Service"

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    A Geospatial Analysis of Wind Energy Development and Authorization Policy on US Forest Service Land
    (2009-04-24T14:32:26Z) Schlichting, Kerry
    Abstract: Wind is a renewable source of energy but its development has the potential for significant negative visual, economic and environmental impacts if not sited carefully. Analysis of a wide range of variables associated with wind development need to be included in policy development to ensure simultaneous conservation and support of renewable energy development. The objective of this project is to analyze wind energy development to inform US Forest Service management practices through applicable federal, agency, forest and state regulations as well as mitigation of potential impacts. Geospatial analysis is used to evaluate project suitability and associated impacts through a case study of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina. This case study is the basis for a spatial decision support system (sDSS) which offers a methodology to consolidate the assessment and authorization process for wind projects on public lands. Based on 16 variables of representing environmental sensitivities, construction requirements, land designations and state policy, this analysis finds that the majority of the study is are highly sensitive or exclusionary to wind energy development. To both promote renewable energy and continued conservation of environmental resources, the Forest Service must take steps to address concerns raised over management practices limiting development potential. Recommendations from this analysis include the need for agency wide clarification of intent and scope of current and proposed Forest Service wind energy management, as well as the prioritization of variable importance in future wind project siting.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Evaluating the best available social science for natural resource management decision-making
    (Environmental Science and Policy, 2017-07-01) Charnley, S; Carothers, C; Satterfield, T; Levine, A; Poe, MR; Norman, K; Donatuto, J; Breslow, SJ; Mascia, MB; Levin, PS; Basurto, X; Hicks, CC; García-Quijano, C; St. Martin, K
    © 2017 Increasing recognition of the human dimensions of natural resource management issues, and of social and ecological sustainability and resilience as being inter-related, highlights the importance of applying social science to natural resource management decision-making. Moreover, a number of laws and regulations require natural resource management agencies to consider the “best available science” (BAS) when making decisions, including social science. Yet rarely do these laws and regulations define or identify standards for BAS, and those who have tried to fill the gap have done so from the standpoint of best available natural science. This paper proposes evaluative criteria for best available social science (BASS), explaining why a broader set of criteria than those used for natural science is needed. Although the natural and social sciences share many of the same evaluative criteria for BAS, they also exhibit some differences, especially where qualitative social science is concerned. Thus we argue that the evaluative criteria for BAS should expand to include those associated with diverse social science disciplines, particularly the qualitative social sciences. We provide one example from the USA of how a federal agency − the U.S. Forest Service − has attempted to incorporate BASS in responding to its BAS mandate associated with the national forest planning process, drawing on different types of scientific information and in light of these criteria. Greater attention to including BASS in natural resource management decision-making can contribute to better, more equitable, and more defensible management decisions and policies.