Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
r Presence and apparent density of fish and other aquatic species
r Mammals and birds dependent on aquatic resources
r Changes in water quality and the aquatic community over time
Information gained from fishers and similar sources warrant particu-
lar scrutiny because the providers of information have a vested stake in
the resource. They can exaggerate the positive attributes in an attempt to
influence decision makers to avoid the resource, or they can minimize the
attributes to prevent exploitation of the resource and diminish recreational
fishing success. It is also important when using information on existing con-
ditions from fishers and similar resources to keep in mind the old adage
learned from decades of experience: “fishermen know a lot about fish, and
some of it is true.”
Data and other reports of existing conditions identified by stakeholders
must be addressed in the description of the affected environment. If the
information is ignored, the environmental analysis team will spend more
time and effort responding to comments on why it was not used than if they
had considered it in the description. Also not addressing the information can
damage credibility and spoil the stakeholder relationship and support. But,
the source of the information, inherent limitations, and potential uncertainty
must be recognized, and if the information is critical to prediction of signifi-
cant impact or a decision regarding the proposed action, it should be verified.
5.2.3
Original Investigations to Describe the Affected Environment
After the available information has been gathered and reviewed for each
environmental resource potentially affected, it is frequently necessary to
conduct at least confirmatory original investigations of existing conditions
to fill data gaps. For any such investigation, “proceed with caution” is good
advice both when making the decision to collect original data and designing
the data collection program. There are many pitfalls awaiting the overeager
environmental analysis team embarking on data collection programs:
r A little knowledge is dangerous. A quick peek or snapshot of the
affected environment can often present a distorted picture, and
interpretations made on such information are often unacceptable
to adversarial stakeholders (and all too frequently not correct). The
risks of this pitfall can be minimized by using original data collec-
tion to relate a specific situation to a larger data set even if the exist-
ing data only represents a similar adjacent location.
r Proving the negative is difficult, particularly within the scope and
time frame of an environmental analysis. The classic example is
a survey conducted at a proposed site to demonstrate that rare or
endangered species or even their habitat is not present. Such one-time
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