Challenges to socio-economic impact modeling: lessons from the Alaska OCS Program

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Environ. Manage.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5743221

Leistritz, F L; Chase, R A; Ekstrom, B L; Knapp, G; Huskey, L; Murdock, S H; Scott, M J

Accurately assessing the socio-economic impacts of large-scale resource developments is a complex undertaking which must take account of the conditions under which development is occurring, including the local environmental, economic, social, and cultural conditions. Such impact assessments and modeling efforts are also affected by the policy context of model development. Thus, such factors as the characteristics of the project, the diversity of potential information demands, population and settlement densities, the local economic structure, and the demographic and socio-cultural uniqueness of the affected area all influence the accuracy and usefulness of assessments. This paper examines the context that has surrounded the development and use of models for assessing the socio-economic impacts of outer continental shelf (OCS) petroleum development on rural villages in Alaska - a setting which posed major challenges for impact modelling because of its unique characteristics. It thus provides both a description of the pragmatic steps and an example of the general principles necessary to design and use such models effectively.

• Research Organization: North Dakota State Univ., Fargo
• OSTI ID: 5743221
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Manage.; (United States), Vol. 21:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ALASKA
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC IMPACT
INFORMATION NEEDS
MEASURING METHODS
SOCIAL IMPACT
BOOM TOWNS
DEMOGRAPHY
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
FEDERAL REGION X
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
USA
530100* - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Social & Economic Studies- (-1989)
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology