The Contribution of a Water Information System for Environmental Planning in Minnesota

Abstract

Modern American thought has treated the environment either as a mechanical, scientific abstraction or a mythical, humanist ideal. Considering the performance of water within the environment will avoid this dichotomy and allow a synthesis of both viewpoints. The central focus becomes the lived in world of water and not either just the concepts or the subjective feelings water evokes. Investigation of the manner in which academia treats environmental planning information will show the subjective nature of science which is seldom acknowledged within our objective curricula. The manner in which state government treats water adds another perspective to modern fragmented environmental thought. Throughout this conversation attention will remain on the engaged or dynamic nature of water within the environment. Finally the structure of human behavior provides a meaningful center with which to construct a state water information system. It is this shift in perception which is crucial to integrate the fragmented discipline views of the environment in terms of human experience.