PARENT SESSION
Symposium #23: Dam removal as river restorations: Linking ecological, engineering, social, and legal perspectives.
Sponsored by ESA Aquatic Ecosystems Section
Organized by: D. D. Hart and N. L. Poff.
Friday, August 10, 2001. 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Madison Ballroom A
What's the big deal about small dams: Societal perspectives on dam removal.
Johnson, Sara1, Graber, Brian1, 1
ABSTRACT- Successful ecosystem restoration efforts often begin by restoring river functions. Dam removal is increasingly viewed as a cost-effective and efficient method for restoring river function. Hundreds, if not thousands, of the nation's dams, especially smaller structures, are old and obsolete, prompting public safety concerns and placing economic burdens on owners faced with repair bills. This convergence of societal, economic and environmental factors presents an unprecedented opportunity for river ecosystem restoration involving selective dam removal. Some decisions to remove small dams are made in legal courts, but the majority of decisions regarding the future of small dams are made in the court of public opinion. Decisions are often based on incomplete and inaccurate information. Coupled with uncertainty and fear associated with the change represented by dam removal, the decision processes are typically emotionally charged and highly divisive. They often result in a decision to maintain the status quo as much as possible, which means keeping the dam. This paper draws on the social sciences, including rural sociology, social psychology, communications and marketing, to suggest methods for creating an atmosphere wherein dam removal may be viewed as a viable option and considered on its own merits. Discussion includes adoption and diffusion of innovations; predicting and effecting behavior change; social marketing concepts; and message development and delivery. Potential roles of ecologists in affecting social change around river restoration and dam removal are discussed.
KEY WORDS: dam removal, river restoration, fisheries restoration, ecosystem restoration