Presentation of Case Study and Identification of Special Interest Groups

Flug, Marshall; Fontane, Darrell G.; ,

Presentation of Case Study and Identification of Special Interest Groups

by Marshall Flug, Colorado State Univ, Fort Collins, United States,
Darrell G. Fontane, Colorado State Univ, Fort Collins, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Resources Planning and Management and Urban Water Resources

Abstract:

A typical example facing the National Park Service is presented that demonstrates the diversity in objectives associated with water resources decision making in an environmentally conscious era. Neither the natural resource or traditional objectives are translated into commensurate units but rather are treated as integral parts of the multi criterion decision making process. The case study presented is based on an existing North American river system with three reservoirs in series. Different reservoir release policies composed of hydrographs of flow releases and lake levels define the alternatives available for management of the system. The seven identified resource criteria (i.e., objectives) important to this example are: protection of Beaches, Boat Docks, and Archeological Sites; Conservation of numerous Biological Habitats; preservation of Recreational Navigation opportunities; and traditional objectives for Flood Control and Hydropower. This diverse set of objectives presents a situation in which various special interest groups would logically rank the importance of these criteria differently. To demonstrate the capabilities of multi criterion decision making in dealing with these differences, four special interest groups are introduced that influence decision makers. The four groups are identified as: Tree Huggers, with concerns for greenery and natural resources; Gold Diggers, with a desire to generate hydropower; Gut Busters, who are avid fishermen; and Water Rats, who are devoted boating enthusiasts.

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