University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2007 Small-Hydroelectricity and Landscape Change in the Bitterroot Mountains: Public Perceptions and Attitudes Chad E. Newman The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Newman, Chad E., "Small-Hydroelectricity and Landscape Change in the Bitterroot Mountains: Public Perceptions and Attitudes" (2007). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 891. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/891 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SMALL-HYDROELECTRICITY AND LANDSCAPE CHANGE IN THE BITTERROOT MOUNTAINS: PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES By Chad Edward Newman Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, 1995 Thesis Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Geography, Community and Environmental Planning The University of Montana Missoula, MT Autumn 2006 Approved by: Dr. David A. Strobel, Dean Graduate School Dr. David D. Shively, Chair Geography Dr. Sarah J. Halvorson Geography Dr. Jeffery D. Greene Political Science Newman, Chad, M.A. December 2007 Geography Small-Hydroelectricity and Landscape Change in the Bitterroot Mountains: Public Perceptions and Attitudes Chairperson: Dr. David D. Shively The development and use of renewable energy resources within America has made significant progress over the last two decades. Many state governments have adopted legislation requiring the development of their local renewable resources for generating electricity. In 2005, Montana’s State Legislature passed Senate Bill 415, The Montana Renewable Power Production and Rural Economic Development Act. This piece of legislation mandates the development and use of renewable energy resources by energy producers and requires that fifteen percent of the electrical energy consumed within Montana be produced by renewable energy resources by January 01, 2015. Though this action has been praised by the numerous advocates of renewable energy, many physical and environmental impacts associated with the development of renewable forms of energy have been largely overlooked. This thesis evaluates the public’s attitudes and perceptions surrounding this development; specifically, it attempts to measure how the inevitable aesthetic and physical impacts associated with the development of small- hydroelectric facilities are perceived by local residents. Western Montana’s Ravalli County was chosen as the geographic location for this study as its world renowned trout fishing and breathtaking views will likely be compromised through developing the small streams originating in the Bitterroot Mountains. A survey of Ravalli County residents was conducted to assess public perceptions and attitudes of using these resources. Socio- demographic characteristics, use of local streams, and knowledge of renewable energy resources are evaluated as possible measures for explaining the attitudes and perceptions of local residents. These data, though presenting mixed results, provide some insight into the values of local residents and how these perceptions and attitudes can potentially influence the development of renewable energy resources and help shape the policy that is ultimately responsible for advocating the use of local resources for generating electricity. ii With much love, I dedicate this thesis to my family: My wife Nicole, daughter Cecelia, and our unborn baby. iii AKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to recognize and thank all of the professors who have facilitated my graduate education. They have challenged my intellect and pushed me to expand my abilities. I would especially like to thank the Chairman of my thesis committee, Dr. David Shively. You have offered not only your expertise and help in my development and completion of this thesis; you have offered your friendship. Thank you. I would also like to thank Nancy Forman-Ebel. Her knowledge and savvy of the Graduate program and the Geography Department have facilitated many administrative issues for my completion of this program. I would like to thank my wife Nicole and daughter Cecelia for their patience and understanding throughout the last three and a half years while I worked to complete this graduate degree; it has been a long haul for all of us and I love them both very much. I would also like to thank my father-in-law Larry. He has accommodated my school schedule for the entirety of my graduate degree. Thank you for watching and caring for Cecelia at a moment’s notice. I do not think this would have been possible without his help. iv CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... viii LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................. ix APPENDICIES.................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION................................................................................. 1 Problem Statement.......................................................................................................... 3 Purpose Statement........................................................................................................... 3 Research Questions......................................................................................................... 5 Thesis Organization ........................................................................................................ 5 CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND.................................................................................. 7 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 7 Perception and Landscape .............................................................................................. 8 Perceptions................................................................................................................. 8 Landscapes................................................................................................................. 9 Theoretical Framework............................................................................................ 11 Perception Studies.................................................................................................... 12 Electricity and Energy Markets .................................................................................... 16 Generation................................................................................................................ 16 Transmission............................................................................................................ 17 Distribution .............................................................................................................. 18 Energy Markets........................................................................................................ 18 Small-Hydroelectricity: Technology and Impacts........................................................ 19 Electricity in Montana: History and Current Situation................................................. 22 v CONTENTS Current Energy in Montana ..................................................................................... 22 Historical Considerations......................................................................................... 24 Renewable Energy and Policy in Montana................................................................... 28 Policy ....................................................................................................................... 32 CHAPTER THREE: STUDY AREA............................................................................... 36 Introduction................................................................................................................... 36 Physical Geography ...................................................................................................... 36 Population and Demographics...................................................................................... 39 History and Economy ................................................................................................... 41 Hydroelectric Potential ................................................................................................. 42 Chapter Summary ......................................................................................................... 46 CHAPTER FOUR: METHODS ....................................................................................... 47 Data Collection ............................................................................................................. 47 Measures ....................................................................................................................... 49 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................