Box Canyon Dam in the United States. New research has revealed that dam building and constructions in the United States have actually flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land, adding to the historical struggle against indigenous land dispossession. The study reveals that dams have actually been a considerable consider land loss, with 424 dams flooding tribal lands across the country. The damage has significant repercussions on environments, cultural heritage, and livelihoods. Credit: IOP Publishing
Dam buildings in the United States have flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land, adding to indigenous land dispossession. The research study highlights the damage of communities and culture and suggests dam elimination where feasible. The findings present a chance to address historical land issues and respect native rights.
Dam building and constructions have flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land in the US contributing to the historical and ongoing battle against land dispossession for indigenous peoples in the United States. New research, released today (August 9) in the journal Environmental Research Letters, has recognized that a region of tribal land larger than the state of Rhode Island has been submerged by dams in the US. The findings raise concerns about the damage of ecosystems, cultural heritage, and incomes.
Impact of Dams on Native Lands
The brand-new research study shows that dams have actually substantially added to land loss of native people, a factor that has not been totally quantified previously. Over the centuries, colonial settlers and the federal government have obtained over 2 billion acres from native countries through various policies, consisting of forced removal, allocation, and the booking system. The study considers data from federal Indian bookings and Oklahoma Tribal Statistical Areas (OTSAs) together with the places of nearly 8,000 dams throughout the United States and the size of their tanks. The research reveals that 424 dams have actually flooded 1.13 million acres of tribal land in the US.
Repercussions of Dam-Induced Land Loss
Heather Randell, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology and Demography at Penn State University, states: “The repercussions of dam-induced land loss are significant. The disruption of terrestrial and water environments not just devastates natural resources however likewise destroys culturally substantial websites. The impact on regional neighborhoods livelihoods and displacement from their ancestral lands is similarly severe.”
Suggestions and Opportunities
Suggestions proposed by the research team include the prioritization of dam elimination wherever feasible, together with exploring options such as tribal ownership or financing for dam repairs and improvements in cases where elimination is not viable.
” In the wake of recent federal legislation addressing aging facilities in the United States, it is crucial to prioritize removing dams that have flooded tribal land,” Randell continues. “This is an opportunity to address historic land dispossession and to respect the sovereignty and rights of native communities.”
Reference: “Dams and Tribal Land Loss in the United States” 9 August 2023, Environmental Research Letters.DOI: 10.1088/ 1748-9326/ acd268.
New research has actually exposed that dam buildings in the US have flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land, contributing to the historic battle against indigenous land dispossession. The study shows that dams have been a significant element in land loss, with 424 dams flooding tribal lands throughout the nation. Dam constructions in the United States have flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land, contributing to indigenous land dispossession. Dam buildings have actually flooded over 1.13 million acres of tribal land in the US contributing to the historical and continuous struggle against land dispossession for indigenous peoples in the United States.
