Coal-fueled energy development in the Southwest has resulted in a controversy over claims of environmental damage and spiritual and social disruption to the Native American inhabitants of the region. Development has been supported through estimates of the economic benefits that will accrue to the Hopi and Navajo through the planned development. This research has developed a modeling approach to systematically and rationally assess the impacts of energy development on the Hopi and Navajo Tribes. The model incorporates a simulation technique that describes the Indian social systems over time with and without energy development. The variations within the system without energy development and with various levels of development allow insights into impacts. Computer control allows the model to consider many different decisions relative to energy development, and incorporated graphics allow for efficient and fast impact interpretation. The results of the model indicate that proposed impacts on the Native Americans have been exaggerated. Neither the economic impacts nor spiritual disruptions claimed are seen to occur. The model is seen to be a valuable tool for systematic analysis and the presentation of social impact information.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/191027 |
| Date | January 1976 |
| Creators | Oswald, Eric B. |
| Contributors | Gum, Russell L., Harshbarger, John W., Ince, Simon, Sekaquaptewa, Emory |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic), text |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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