In 2001 the World Commission of Dams concluded that the economic, social and environmental cost of dams has been unacceptably high. As a result, dam removal is emerging as a promising option in addressing these concerns. However, dam removal is a contentious issue sharply divided between biophysical and socioeconomic interests. The purpose of this thesis is to conduct an explanatory case study of Eden Mills, Ontario to investigate the process of dam removal consideration. It was determined that i) safety ii) economics iii) social value and iv) environmental impact were critical variables influencing the decision-making process. Following site analysis, key-informant interviews and a design vignette survey it was determined that Eden Mills pursue dam removal as the social value of the millpond no longer justified the sustained economic and biophysical costs associated with the dam. This process theory can be applied to other dam removal scenarios to facilitate the decision making process.

Prior to the construction of the dams, migrating salmonid species accessed the upper reaches of the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam watersheds as an integral part of their natural lifecycle. There are multiple initiatives being undertaken by BC Hydro and the stakeholders to re-introduce sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to one of their natural habitat in the upper Coquitlam watershed. Concerns have been raised that the restoration may be in conflict with the drinking water mandate of Metro Vancouver’s watershed management policies. The research objective of this project was to investigate and assess the social, economic, and environmental aspects of restoring an extirpated sockeye salmon population. Through an exploratory case-study approach, the research concluded that the existing fish passage constraints and reliance upon re-anadromy to restore the population are limiting factors in sustaining the Coquitlam Reservoir sockeye.

Research for this study built on the experience of salmon restoration by exploring the lived experience of children ages eight to 12 who participated in an eight-month salmon restoration education program, the Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP), through the Kamloops School District and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). The study used a qualitative multimodal phenomenological approach that is theoretically framed through deep ecology and systems theory to answer: What meanings and impacts do children experience when participating in restoration projects? Data was gathered through: children's reflections from the experience, observations from the field experience, researcher reflections, photographs, children's drawings, and six follow-up semi-structured interviews collected from five participating classes in the Kamloops School District. The research will support the Kamloops School District and participating teachers better understand the meaning and experiences of youth participating in Salmonid Enhancement Program in order to create more inclusive program design in the future.

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The process of remastering old recordings comprises two basic stages: the transfer of the material from the source to a modern format, and the subsequent restoration of the transferred material through various forms of signal processing. The transfer stage in particular requires an understanding of issues which are becoming increasingly less familiar to engineers as the science of recording progresses further into the digital era. To a lesser extent, the restoration stage involves the use of certain techniques and forms of processing which are specific to this application. / This thesis is intended as a reference for those recording engineers who occasionally undertake remastering projects, but who are not thoroughly acquainted with the many different situations and problems which can be involved. Emphasis is given to those areas which are likely to be least familiar to most engineers. / In order to enable the engineer to properly assess a given source, the evolution and characteristics of each type of source--cylinder, disc and tape--is surveyed. This is followed in each case by an examination of the preparation, equipment and method used in transferring the source. Finally, the various types of processing which can be applied to the transferred material are presented, focusing on the techniques and forms of signal processing which are specific to audio restoration.

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The Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) was developed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1997 in response to controversy and conflict between wildlife conservation agencies and landowners. The incentive was meant to encourage voluntary enhancement or establishment of habitat for rare species in the state, by providing technical assistance and a 75% cost-share. To evaluate the program in its first decade of existence, I gathered feedback from stakeholders via interviews, a mail survey, and case studies of LIP projects that focused on the black-capped vireo. The stakeholders I identified as administrators of the program, field personnel who acted as liaisons between administrators and landowners, and the landowners themselves. I used a qualitative theme analysis for interviews and open-ended survey responses to capture salient topics from the various perspectives. I analyzed closed-ended mail survey responses with descriptive statistics and ANOVA. For the case studies, I conducted vireo and habitat surveys and report the results with descriptive statistics or anecdotes. Stakeholders were generally pleased with the program in its first decade regarding rare species habitat improvements. Most of the 126 projects were completed and resulted in an increase of habitat for a variety of species across the state. The funding sources changed over the decade, bringing with them new directives, but in general LIP investments benefitted rare and declining species, whether listed under the ESA or not. Relations between landowners and conservation agencies also seemed to be improved in some cases and to be created in others. Every program has its difficulties to work through as it evolves, and LIP is no exception. The first 7 years of the program were state-administered and encountered a variety of modifications due to personnel changes and differing opinions on program priorities. In 2002, LIP became a national program, requiring Texas to compete for funds, and also federal clearance requirements that caused many administrative delays. My recommendations for program improvement included improved monitoring of project outcome, immediate evaluation of participants, increased communication and cooperation among various agencies who work with landowners, and dedicated staff to assist all other stakeholders in the LIP process.