RNR 1001 Chapter : 8 30 2013
Document Summary
In the 19th and 20th centuries, people in the u. s. were characterized by frontier ethics. Forests cleared, grasslands converted to agriculture, rivers dammed for hydropower generation, irrigation diversions, flood reduction, and municipal water supplies. Gold rush in 1848- 300,000 people to ca. Promote development of arid and semi-arid lands in the western u. s. , 649 acres for . 25/acre with a promise to irrigate within 3 years. Western water governed by the doctrine of prior appropriation. Water appropriated to individuals, governments, date of appropriation paramount. (first come first serve), water appropriated for beneficial uses, diversion required, return unimportant. Fish, wildlife, vegetation problems. (protection of natural systems), not beneficial uses, no diversion, late appropriation dates. Many papers and books written about the environment in the 1060s and 70s. Paul ehrlich (1932-), professor at stanford university the population bomb(1969) Dire predictions about human population growth and resource depletion. Barry commoner (1917-), professor at queens university, ny- the closing circle(1971)
