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Summary
Pages 1-14

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From page 1...
... There is a long, fascinating history of human efforts to cope with and reduce the effects of these natural hazards, ranging from pre-European inhabitants seeking areas of higher ground for sites of settlement and transportation routes, to modern-day, massive levees and drainage systems along the lower Mississippi River, other water control structures and spillways, and extensive hurricane protection structures within and across the greater New Orleans metropolitan area. Given the prominence and persistence of natural hydrologic hazards, many early water-related studies and activities in this region focused on hydrology, hydraulics, and engineering, such as the competing studies of Mississippi River hydrology and engineering by Andrew Humphreys and 1
From page 2...
... . The major sections in this Summary track these three areas as follows: the section on Common Problems and Challenges addresses topic 1 above; sections on Strategic Research for Integrated Water and Environmental Management, Science-Policy Analysis, and Research Coordination and Organizational Options address topic 2 above, and the final section on Comparative International Water Research addresses topic 3 above.
From page 3...
... This first topic also calls for identification of other large deltaic systems in the world that may provide analogues for integrated water resources management in the lower Mississippi River delta. The introductory chapter of this report reviews the evolution and trajectory of integrated water and environmental management, including IWRM, in the United States, Europe, and developing regions of the world.
From page 4...
... • Large deltas of the world vary so greatly that international compari sons focused solely on one or a few agents of change are not likely to provide comparisons robust enough to advance the theory and practice of integrated water and environmental resources manage ment in the Mississippi River delta. • It therefore is important to develop and employ a "human-environ mental systems approach," grounded in the Mississippi delta base case -- and to use that systems approach to seek partial analogues with other large deltas in ways that inform, inspire, and challenge integrated water and environmental management in the lower Mis sissippi River delta.
From page 5...
... • Preparation of a Mississippi River Delta Research Synthesis report offers a research opportunity for the Water Institute. This report could include an institutional map of major research institutions and programs.
From page 6...
... As such, this is a research gap and a research opportunity for the Water Institute and allied organizations. • The Water Institute could provide the central motivation and coor dinating effort for the promising research opportunity of developing a "condition of the delta" assessment.
From page 7...
... • Design of scientific research to support adaptive management of large-scale ecosystem restoration projects is a significant research opportunity in the Mississippi River delta context. • As some uncertainties will unfold during the course of diversion experiments, a "quick response" research grant program for internal and external applicants could facilitate rapid collection of perishable data in the event of environmental surprises and hazards.
From page 8...
... Yet it is essential that social processes and policies that influence land use change be included within the scope of research for truly integrated water and environmental management. • There are research opportunities in the lower Mississippi River delta for analyzing land use and settlement patterns and trends, and for explaining how projects and policies influence those trends in ways that advance or constrain the paths and prospects for integrated water and environmental management.
From page 9...
... At the same time, there are expanding opportunities for rigorous comparative research on science-policy programs in other regions, such as the Nether lands, for integrated water and environmental management in the Mississippi River delta. Science-Policy Research and the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan New infusion of funding will support Mississippi River diversions and associated (re)
From page 10...
... However, some stakeholders may not have been as fully or creatively engaged as possible in analytical modeling that led to recommendations, which may contribute to some controversies regarding Master Plan proposals. Integrated water and environmental management processes often entail collaborative modeling, negotiation theory, and conflict resolution experiments.
From page 11...
... This work initially could help support restoration project implementation, encourage integra tion of structural and nonstructural water and environmental man agement alternatives, and also encourage participatory stakeholder and citizen-science programs. RESEARCH COORDINATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL OPTIONS Research Coordination There are highly ranked universities and research laboratories conducting research in the Mississippi River delta, including Louisiana State University, Tulane University, University of New Orleans, and University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
From page 12...
... COMPARATIVE RESEARCH: TRANSFERRING AND APPLYING KNOWLEDGE The Water Institute's intent to engage in comparative international research holds much promise for improving strategic research and decisions both on the lower Mississippi and in other delta regions. Although no two complex deltas are strictly comparable, analysis of similarities and differences in research measurements, methods, and management issues can be useful.
From page 13...
... One possibility for the Water Institute is to initially focus some of its international initiatives on inviting scientists from around the world to visit and collaborate in research activities in the lower Mississippi River delta. Building collaborative, international relationships by this means, and addressing local scientific issues, may also place it in a strong position to productively engage in research opportunities in other parts of the world.
From page 14...
... sediment trapping and land loss -- Mekong and Yellow; and (5) urban planning and flood risk reduction -- in New Orleans, the Connecting Delta Cities program, and Pearl and Yangtze deltas.


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