This study explores the spatial-temporal patterns of Section 404 permitting
program under the Clean Water Act and examines its impact on mean and peak annual
streamflow. The study area consists of 47 sub-basins that are delineated based on USGS
streamflow gauges. These sub-basins span from the southern portion of coastal Texas to
the easternmost portion of coastal Texas. Descriptive, spatial and spatial-temporal
statistical methods are used to explore patterns in Section 404 permitting between 1996
and 2003. The effects of Section 404 permit types on mean and peak annual streamflow
over the same 8 year period are also statistically modeled with a host of other relevant
control variables.
Exploratory analyses of Section 404 permits demonstrated characteristics that
were indicative of suburban and, to a larger extent, exurban development. Explanatory
analyses of the effects of Section 404 permitting on mean and peak streamflow showed
that Section 404 permits increase both measures. These increases were minimal on a
per-permit basis but have the ability to accumulate over time and result in much larger
increases. Section 404 permits also displayed an ordered effect based on the permit
type. Permit types that represent larger impacts had larger effects. The effects of
permits of streamflow followed a descending pattern of Individual permits, Letters of
Permission, Nationwide permits, and General permits. This “type of permit impact”
supports the use of this measure as an indicator of wetland impact and loss and
corroborates previous studies that have incorporated this measure.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/ETD-TAMU-3077 |
| Date | 15 May 2009 |
| Creators | Highfield, Wesley E. |
| Contributors | Brody, Samuel D. |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Dissertation, text |
| Format | electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
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