Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems: A Troubled Sense of Immensity

341 Pages·2007·1.48 MB·English

by  Robert W. Adler

SCIENCE/POLITICS/NATURE A
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Advance praise for Restoring Colorado River Ecosystems L
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“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-
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tality,he explains just how challenging the job is,and he pulls no punches describing the technical,
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political,economic,and legal obstacles that lie in the way.”
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—Joseph L.Sax,professor,University ofCalifornia,Berkeley,author ofMountains Without Handrails T
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“Robert Adler has the rare gift ofwriting with great clarity about topics ofgreat complexity.
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Readers ofthe book will emerge as more realistic and pragmatic advocates for the well-being of I
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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.”
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—Patty Limerick,faculty director and board chair ofthe Center ofthe American West,University
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ofColorado,author ofThe Legacy ofConquest
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“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
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“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
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Rethinking how we use water and produce electrical power may be even harder than tearing down
dams orrebuilding stretches ofriver channel.” E
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—David Getches,dean and Raphael J.Moses Professor ofNatural Resources Law,University of
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Colorado Law School
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Robert W.Adleris associate dean for academic affairs,and James I.Farr Chair and Professor of
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Lawat the S.J.Quinney College ofLaw,University ofUtah.
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Coverdesign:Brian C.Barth S
Cover photo:©Tom Till
Washington • Covelo • London
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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