Discussion on water and timber

PROFESSOR SMITH

Those who have read the preprint of my paper have undoubtedly noted that I remain reasonably pragmatic concerning the impact of new technology on future water management. I wish this were not so. Certainly one would enjoy a debate which concentrates on possible new or innovative technologies. Alternatively, identification of a specific water scheme possessing some unique feature, and which could be described as the key to future water management, would be most exciting. I have not opted for either of these alternatives because to do so would have disturbed my conscience no end.

There is no denying that during the rest of the century we will see more and more application of the new technologies, some of which are discussed briefly in the paper. Also there is no denying that in certain localities application of selected new technologies will make a very meaningful impact on water management. This, however, is just the point. The feasible application of these technologies is going to be very site-specific and collectively they will make but a modest impact on the overall waterfront.