Individual (local) areas cannot affect environmental solutions in isolation. Natural systems extend beyond municipal boundaries and are being modified, controlled, and very often obliterated. Cost appears to be the single inhibiting constraint for local forms of government to avoid using GIS technology. The history of land development has followed a strategy of individual land owners proposing land use activities without an overall understanding of the environmental effect. In years past the natural systems were of such magnitude to absorb land changes without drastic disruption, however, the density of the population forever changed the ability to convert land at the disgression of individuals.
The "work in opposition strategies" of the 1960's has produced two polarized viewpoints regarding the environment. Very often environmental proposals have been products of a political process, power struggle, or other distraction. Prior to GIS technologies there was no vehicle for opposing viewpoints to find or explore a "middle ground" compromise.
Probable environmental solutions in this century will evolve from local forms of government utilizing large regional data bases containing vast amounts of detailed and up to date information regarding both natural and human systems. Each community will use a regional scale set of "in common" information to make land use decisions for the individual community. Communities will have the ability to test other community(s) decisions to determine positive or negative environmental impacts. The greater environmental good (or harm) can be debated within and throughout the local and regional community. In the past GIS technologies were used by only affluent users and the case presented was often "one sided" in favor of the GIS user and at the expense of the opposition. The technique often created an air of resentment for both the user and, indirectly, Geographic Information Systems. The recommended solution to this predicament is the availability of both the GIS technology and accurate information (data) for all interested parties. The discussion and debate will then revolve around relevant environmental issues exclusively.
