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Full-Text Articles in Geography

Cascadia Reconsidered: Questioning Micro-Scale Cross-Border Integration In The Fraser Lowland, Patrick H. Buckley, John Belec Jan 2011

Cascadia Reconsidered: Questioning Micro-Scale Cross-Border Integration In The Fraser Lowland, Patrick H. Buckley, John Belec

Environmental Studies Faculty and Staff Publications

Cascadia has been promoted as the premier cross-border region (CBR) along the western US-Canada border. However, most studies of this CBR have a strong normative inflection that assumes a great desire by the actors to emancipate themselves from dominance by the nation-state. Unlike as in other regions of the world such as Europe, little micro-level empirical investigation has been done of this hypothesis. This study seeks to address that issue by focusing on a proposed power plant in the heart of Cascadia which was to integrate resources and services between the border towns of Sumas, Washington and Abbotsford, British Columbia …


Developing A Resilience Framework To Analyze Farmer Perspectives On Threat And Vulnerability To Catastrophic Events In Western Washington State, Bryant Hammond Jan 2011

Developing A Resilience Framework To Analyze Farmer Perspectives On Threat And Vulnerability To Catastrophic Events In Western Washington State, Bryant Hammond

WWU Graduate School Collection

Agriculture plays an important role in Western Washington's culture, economy, and environment. However, agriculture as it has been practiced over its 150-year history in the region is currently threatened by several changes differing in severity and onset speed. This thesis examines the adaptation of farmers to the changing system in which they are situated by exploring how they view vulnerability and threat; what strategies they suggest might aid in adaptation; and how farmers situate themselves and their operations within larger socio-ecological systems. I derive my data from disaster planning workshops in which farmers from each of three counties participated in …


Geographies Of Governance Across La Amistad International Park, Lauren F. Miller Jan 2011

Geographies Of Governance Across La Amistad International Park, Lauren F. Miller

WWU Graduate School Collection

This research focused on levels of trust, participation levels, and the emergence of polycentric governance among buffer zone community stakeholders in a case study of La Amistad International Park in Costa Rica and Panama. In this investigation, I combined a human geography of regions perspective with Common Pool Resource (CPR) theory to analyze the management structure of a bi-national park (a UNESCO Biosphere and World Heritage Site) and its progress toward the UNESCO Biosphere goals. These goals focus on socio-economic development for human well-being and educational and research opportunities addressing global to local issues related to integrated conservation and development. …


Assessing The Potential For Effective Collaborative Resource Management Of Costa Rica's Central Pacific Scarlet Macaw Population, Kathryn Mork Jan 2011

Assessing The Potential For Effective Collaborative Resource Management Of Costa Rica's Central Pacific Scarlet Macaw Population, Kathryn Mork

WWU Graduate School Collection

Establishing protected areas is one of the primary methods of protecting wildlife and preserving biodiversity and habitat worldwide. However, in recent years it has been recognized that not all protected areas are successful, for reasons ranging from a lack of resources to properly manage them, to the fact that areas are often too small to sustain animal populations, with many animals ranging beyond the borders of the protected areas. These issues have been addressed in a number of ways, including encouraging community involvement in management efforts and the development of conservation corridors and buffer zones to increase habitat availability. Collaborations …


Irregular Tessellated Surface Model Map Algebras To Define Flow Directions And Delineate Catchments Using Lidar Bare Earth Sample Points, Gerald B. Gabrisch Jan 2011

Irregular Tessellated Surface Model Map Algebras To Define Flow Directions And Delineate Catchments Using Lidar Bare Earth Sample Points, Gerald B. Gabrisch

WWU Graduate School Collection

Flow directions and catchment algorithms have historically utilized raster-based data models. A significant body of literature focuses on raster-based interpolation errors, and the subsequent surface reconditioning to compensate for those errors, that together degrade the accuracy of the derived flow directions and catchments. This research seeks to improve upon the raster-based approach by developing and evaluating a vector-based approach to generating flow directions and delineating catchments that preserves the accuracy of the input point data through the use of irregular tessellated surface models. Specifically, the Python computer programming language was used in conjunction with a geographic information system (GIS) to …


Testing A Reconfiguration Of Fast At The Blaine Poe, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson Jan 2011

Testing A Reconfiguration Of Fast At The Blaine Poe, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

In prior articles we have described problems with efficacy of the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) trusted-shipper program at the Blaine, Washington, port-of-entry (POE). At Blaine, state and provincial transportation agencies invested in the construction of highway lanes dedicated to FAST trucks, but there has been relatively light usage of those lanes. In a 2009 field study we found that 23 percent of southbound trucks and just 2 percent of northbound trucks used the FAST lanes. Of the southbound FAST traffic, 73 percent of the trucks were empty. Southbound, the FAST lane seems primarily to be a rapid path by …


Scholars' Views On Improving Border Policy, Donald K. Alper Jan 2011

Scholars' Views On Improving Border Policy, Donald K. Alper

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

On April 29, the Center for Canadian-American Studies at Western Washington University hosted a conference, Bridging Distances: Past and Future Perspectives on Canada-US Relations, to mark the program’s 40th anniversary.* Participating scholars and practitioners were asked to comment on future trends, opportunities and challenges in the relationship. Plenary remarks were given by Ian Brodie, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Harper, and the luncheon address was delivered by David Emerson, chair of the Energy Policy Institute of Canada and former minister in two governments. Panelists were convened to discuss issues covering the following areas: • Both Sides Now: Parallel …


Advancing Program Symmetry For Us-Canada Investment In Cross-Border Transportation, Hugh Conroy Jan 2011

Advancing Program Symmetry For Us-Canada Investment In Cross-Border Transportation, Hugh Conroy

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Reviewing the 17 years since the enactment of NAFTA, the U.S. and Canada have undertaken many initiatives to improve cross-border connections. While the range of issues that receive dedicated treatment is broad, this article focuses on crossborder transportation. Since NAFTA, both countries have set up multi-year federal investment programs for cross-border transportation – the U.S. Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program (CBI) in 1998 and the Canadian Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF) in 2002. In 2000, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Transport Canada (TC) signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on transportation issues which led to the creation of the U.S.-Canada …


Eliminating The Fast Lane At The Pacific Highway Crossing: Results Of A Pilot Project, Mark (Mark Christopher) Springer Jan 2011

Eliminating The Fast Lane At The Pacific Highway Crossing: Results Of A Pilot Project, Mark (Mark Christopher) Springer

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

A 2010 study of the Southbound Pacific Highway Crossing (PHC) focused on alternative configurations for an under-utilized approach lane and inspection booth (Springer, 2010). At the time of the study, both the lane and the booth were restricted to enrollees in the FAST, or Free and Secure Trade, program (USCBP, 2005). The FAST program was designed to encourage members of the trucking industry to increase freight security by rewarding qualifying participants with shorter travel times. To qualify for FAST, carriers, drivers, and shippers are required to follow certain security procedures which enhance the safety and security of the border. Trucks …


Cross-Border Freight Flows At The Two Land Borders, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson, Austin Rose Jan 2011

Cross-Border Freight Flows At The Two Land Borders, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson, Austin Rose

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This article provides an overview of the flow of goods between the U.S. and its two NAFTA neighbors, Canada and Mexico. It is the job of border agencies to facilitate these flows, and this article seeks to explain some aspects of the scope of the job. There is much regional variation in the volume and composition of freight flows, and this variety inevitably has implications for border management policies.


Advancing U.S.-Canada Border Transportation Planning And Programming, Hugh Conroy Jan 2011

Advancing U.S.-Canada Border Transportation Planning And Programming, Hugh Conroy

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Since NAFTA, the United States and Canada have initiated programs to address cross-border transportation and anticipated increases in North American trade and travel. In 1999, The United States, through its multi-year transportation authorization act, began the Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program (CBI). This program, focused on border transportation investments, also established federal support for regional, binational planning coalitions. In 2000, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater and Canadian Minister of Transportation David Collenette signed a memorandum of cooperation to collaborate on transportation issues of mutual interest. This quickly led to the formation of the U.S.-Canada Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG) in …


Borders, Barriers, And Breakthroughs In The Cascadia Corridor, Troy D. Abel, Jenni Pelc, Lauren F. Miller, Jacqueline Quarre, Kathryn Mork Jan 2011

Borders, Barriers, And Breakthroughs In The Cascadia Corridor, Troy D. Abel, Jenni Pelc, Lauren F. Miller, Jacqueline Quarre, Kathryn Mork

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This project focused on dilemmas of political biogeography through a case study of wildlife conservation and management efforts in the transboundary Cascadia region. Our team examined the interface of political science and biogeography, or “political biogeography,” through its manifestations in the evolving opportunities and barriers to regional wildlife conservation in the shared terrestrial ecosystems of British Columbia and Washington. Our research combined content analysis of policy documents and semi-structured stakeholder interviews and questionnaires.


Seminar Proceedings: Perimeter Security And The Beyond The Border Dialogue: Perspectives From The Pnw-Western Canada Region: Special Report, Border Policy Research Institute Jan 2011

Seminar Proceedings: Perimeter Security And The Beyond The Border Dialogue: Perspectives From The Pnw-Western Canada Region: Special Report, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The Harper-Obama Washington Declaration of February 4, 2011 stated: "to preserve and extend the benefits our close relationship has helped bring Canadians and Americans alike, we intend to pursue a perimeter approach to security, working together within, at, and away from the borders of our two countries to enhance our security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people, goods, and services between our two countries." As of June, 2011, there were no details on what "perimeter security" might look like. What was clear is that whatever form it takes will likely depend on the Ottawa and Washington, DC intergovernmental Beyond …


Field Observations Of Northbound Truck Traffic At Pacific Highway, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson, Susannah Edwards, Yijun Zhang Jan 2011

Field Observations Of Northbound Truck Traffic At Pacific Highway, David L. (David Lindsay) Davidson, Susannah Edwards, Yijun Zhang

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This report pertains to a field project designed to collect data suitable for development of a simulation model of commercial vehicle operations (CVO) in the northbound direction at the Pacific Highway border crossing in Blaine, Washington. The project complements a recently completed effort that generated similar data for trucks moving southbound at Pacific Highway.


Comparing A Year Of Legal Inbound Travel: The United States And Canada- 2009, Dylan Medina, Yijun Zhang, Susannah Edwards, Austin Rose, Christopher Miller Jan 2011

Comparing A Year Of Legal Inbound Travel: The United States And Canada- 2009, Dylan Medina, Yijun Zhang, Susannah Edwards, Austin Rose, Christopher Miller

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This study initially set out to compare the cross-border flow of people into the U.S. and Canada over the course of one year. The research team at the BPRI chose to look at cross border flow for 2009, finding it to be the most recent comparable year. To begin this research, we set out with several general questions such as “who is crossing?”, “how many?”, “from where?” and “why?” We intended to first collect the quantitative data and then look at how the flow of people reflects or perhaps complicates the border and immigration policies, as well as the values, …


2011 Pacific Highway Southbound Fast Lane Study: Final Report, Border Policy Research Institute Jan 2011

2011 Pacific Highway Southbound Fast Lane Study: Final Report, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

In the spring of 2011, a pilot test was conducted at the U.S. commercial port of entry (POE) at Blaine, Washington. The test was designed to determine whether a reconfiguration of operations at the POE would lead to improved southbound freight mobility. This report documents the methods and results of the pilot test.


Eliminating The Fast Lane At The Pacific Highway Crossing: A Simulation Analysis, Mark (Mark Christopher) Springer Jan 2011

Eliminating The Fast Lane At The Pacific Highway Crossing: A Simulation Analysis, Mark (Mark Christopher) Springer

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

A recent study by Springer (2011) analyzed the results of a 2011 pilot project at the Southbound Pacific Highway Crossing (PHC) for commercial freight traffic. The goal of the study was to gauge the impact of opening the FAST booth, which was restricted to enrollees in the FAST, or Free and Secure Trade program (USCBP, 2005), to general purpose (GP) commercial freight traffic. To qualify for FAST, carriers, drivers, and shippers are required to follow certain security procedures which enhance the safety and security of the border. Trucks enrolled in FAST were then allowed to use the dedicated lane and …


Regional Freight Capacity Management: Free And Secure Trade (Fast) Program Optimization At The Pacific Highway, Southbound Crossing, Mark (Mark Christopher) Springer Jan 2011

Regional Freight Capacity Management: Free And Secure Trade (Fast) Program Optimization At The Pacific Highway, Southbound Crossing, Mark (Mark Christopher) Springer

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

In the spring of 2011, a pilot project at the southbound Pacific Highway Crossing (PHC) tested the impact of opening the previously restricted FAST lane at the PHC to all commercial freight traffic. The FAST, or Free and Secure Trade program (USCBP, 2005), was designed to increase the security of southbound commercial freight into the United States. To qualify for FAST, carriers, drivers, and shippers are required to follow certain security procedures which aim to enhance the safety and security of the border. Trucks enrolled in FAST are then allowed to use the dedicated lane and inspection booth at the …


Wildlife Governance And The Politics Of Transborder Commons: The Gray Wolf Case, Jenni Pelc Jan 2011

Wildlife Governance And The Politics Of Transborder Commons: The Gray Wolf Case, Jenni Pelc

WWU Graduate School Collection

Wildlife management north and south of the Border is markedly different and is a direct reflection of the respective political systems. This variance in governance structures on either side of the border makes coordination, implementation, and management of transborder natural resources difficult. Transborder wildlife, particularly those shared across international borders, present many challenges to their successful management. Environmental governance scholars have indicated that a shift to more "fluid" polycentric governance, or multiple centers of governance among several smaller jurisdictions, may be more effective than governance through a single large structure. The following questions were used to guide (1) a sub-national …


Dendroclimatology Of Yellow Cedar (Callitropsis Nootkatensis) In The Pacific Northwest Of North America, Christopher S. Robertson Jan 2011

Dendroclimatology Of Yellow Cedar (Callitropsis Nootkatensis) In The Pacific Northwest Of North America, Christopher S. Robertson

WWU Graduate School Collection

As the oldest known conifer species in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), yellow cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis (D. Don) (Spach)) represent an underexploited paleoclimate resource of significant dendroclimatological value. This is the first dendroclimatological study of high elevation yellow cedar within the North Cascades of Washington. In addition, I explored the coherence of yellow-cedar chronologies at the regional scale. I established master tree-ring chronologies and radial-growth characteristics of 50 high-elevation yellow cedars from four sites along the west slope of the North Cascades. Significant (p≤0.05) mean inter-series (r̄=0.61) and inter-site (r̄=0.75) correlations in radial-growth pattern revealed a common limiting factor to yellow-cedar …