Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems: A Troubled Sense of Immensity PDF
Preview Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems: A Troubled Sense of Immensity
SCIENCE/POLITICS/NATURE A D Advance praise for Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems L E R “Like a skilled surgeon,Adler opens up the Colorado River to show what we have done to make it bleed and what it will take to restore some measure ofecological health.Without bluster or sentimen- R tality,he explains just how challenging the job is,and he pulls no punches describing the technical, E political,economic,and legal obstacles that lie in the way.” S —Joseph L.Sax,professor,University ofCalifornia,Berkeley,author ofMountains Without Handrails T O “Robert Adler has the rare gift ofwriting with great clarity about topics ofgreat complexity. R Readers ofthe book will emerge as more realistic and pragmatic advocates for the well-being of I N human and natural communities,sharper and wiser thinkers,and better citizens.This book is a major contribution to the improvement ofpublic discussion and understanding ofthis century’s G environmental circumstances.” C —Patty Limerick,faculty director and board chair ofthe Center ofthe American West,University O ofColorado,author ofThe Legacy ofConquest L O “In Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems,Robert Adler has brought his orderly mind to bear on the R vast complexities ofthe Colorado River.He asks,‘What are we willing to give back in order to A recover what has been lost?’He answers with bold and reasoned judgments to pack in our river D bags as we make our way downstream.” O —Stephen Trimble,author ofLasting Light: 125 Years ofGrand Canyon Photography R I “RobertAdler briskly takes us through the natural,human,and legal history ofthe Colorado River V to build a convincing case that damage to animals,fish,plants,and aesthetics can be reversed. E R Rethinking how we use water and produce electrical power may be even harder than tearing down dams orrebuilding stretches ofriver channel.” E C —David Getches,dean and Raphael J.Moses Professor ofNatural Resources Law,University of O Colorado Law School S Y S Robert W.Adleris associate dean for academic affairs,and James I.Farr Chair and Professor of T Lawat the S.J.Quinney College ofLaw,University ofUtah. E M Coverdesign:Brian C.Barth S Cover photo:©Tom Till Washington • Covelo • London www.islandpress.org All Island Press books are printed on recycled,acid-free paper. About Island Press Island Press is the only nonprofit organization in the United States whose princi- pal purpose is the publication of books on environmental issues and natural resource management. We provide solutions-oriented information to profession- als, public officials, business and community leaders, and concerned citizens who are shaping responses to environmental problems. Since 1984, Island Press has been the leading provider of timely and practical books that take a multidisciplinary approach to critical environmental concerns. Our growing list of titles reflects our commitment to bringing the best of an expanding body of literature to the environmental community throughout North America and the world. Support for Island Press is provided by the Agua Fund, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, Kendeda Sustainability Fund of the Tides Foundation, The Forrest & Frances Lattner Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Marisla Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foun- dation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Oak Foundation, The Overbrook Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Wallace Global Fund, The Winslow Foundation, and other generous donors. The opinions expressed in this book are those of the author and do not nec- essarily reflect the views of these foundations. Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems A Troubled Sense of Immensity Robert W. Adler Island Press Washington • Covelo • London Copyright © 2007 Robert W. Adler All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher: Island Press, 1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009, USA. ISLANDPRESSis a trademark of The Center for Resource Economics. Libraryof Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Adler, Robert W., 1955- Restoring Colorado River ecosystems : a troubled sense of immensity / Robert W. Adler. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN-13: 978-1-59726-056-5 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978-1-59726-057-2 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Restoration ecology—Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico) I. Title. QH104.5.C6A35 2007 333.73’153097913—dc22 2006101562 Printed on recycled, acid-free paper Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To Michele, for her unending love and support Contents Acknowledgments xv Preface xix Chapter One Introduction: Retaking Old Ground 1 Taming the Colorado—How WeChanged the River 2 to Meet Human Needs Restoration and the Environmental Movement 7 Choosing Restoration Strategies: Restoring Places or 12 Restoring Processes Choosing Restoration Methods: Dam Modification or 14 Dam Removal Preserving Economic Institutions or Meeting New 17 Restoration Goals ix
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