Jackson, Wyo. – The executive director of Teton Conservation District, Carlin Girard, dived in the recent book “A Watershed moment: The American West in the age of borders” in the management challenges and options of the Snake River.
The three editors – author Robert Frodeman, Professor of Rochester Institute of Technology Philosophy, Evelyn Brister and Teton County Commissioner Luther Propst, led the book project during a Brainstorming workshop with a author team at Murie Ranch in the Grand Teton National Park over a year ago.
Girard, who is an expert in water protection Hinge In order to discuss the book and its essay, “go downhill: Management challenges on the Snake River”.
“I see this book as a compilation that tries to synthesize the challenges that are unique in the West … to try to position ourselves better when we move against these challenges in different communities.”
Girard explained that there are restrictions in the American west, although it can be perceived as a country of unlimited opportunities and growth.
“For a long time, this was the place with space, area, wildness and resource,” said Girard. “And I think this book tries to recognize where some of the restrictions on natural resources and healthy communities exist.”
Girard wrote over the flow of the Snake River in three different geographical places: the headwater in Wyoming, the Southern Idaho section and the Department of the State of Washington, from its confluence to Hell's Canyon.
“This was a different writing exercise for me and I really enjoyed it,” said Girard. “I had the idea of creating a case study via the Snake River and interrupting it into three sections.”
Girard explained that each section has different management challenges. He said that the section down in Washington has large dams, hydropower and anadroma, which means that the fish are born in fresh water, wander to the ocean as adults and return to fresh water to spawn. According to Girard, the Lachs and Steelhead trout river in the Snake River are at risk in this section of the River.
According to Girard, the Idaho section of the Wasserstrasse has many agricultural prints, including the irrigation of agriculture and a system of dams. He described the Wyoming section of the Snake River as “one of the best examples of a large wild river system that has an intact local fishing”.
“The upper snake in Wyoming is a rare example of fishing that requires very little management, compared to what we see downstream,” said Girard. “The final goal of fishing management for which we should photograph is a system that works in itself without strong augmentation and enormous amounts of financial resources.”
In order to find possible solutions for the management of water systems in the West, Girard emphasized that it is important to recognize the value of water in all its competing uses.
“In the upper snake we often have the feeling that our need for water is most important here, and we want it to be prioritized,” said Girard. “It is easy to see that there are different needs during the movement. We can distract ourselves against agricultural water consumption, but it is also the way we get our food. “
In his essay, Girard presented how this selection of different challenges and opportunities on the Snake River is analogous to many river systems in the West. He emphasized that the learning of different perspectives can evaluate municipalities and legislators better strategies for multiple water consumption.
The book is a compilation of essays from various author perspectives that deal with questions of sustainability and development in the western landscape. The participants are political decision-makers, government employees, agricultural and water managers, urban planners, biologists, tribal members, writers and academics.
Girard will take part in a public discussion about the project at 6 p.m. The event is free of charge and accessible to everyone.