A Methodology For Considering Physiographic Characteristics in Making Land Use Decisions in Southwest Missouri

Date of Graduation

Spring 1988

Degree

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

John Catau

Abstract

The primary purposes of planning are to protect and promote the public's interest and welfare. Thus planning activities should include methods for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating hazards to resources which are essential to human well-being. The inclusion of these measures will help protect the public's interest and may reduce the need for future public expenditures to replace or restore degraded resources. An important step in planning for the maintenance or enhancement of the quality of water resources is to consider the relationships which exist between land usage, the physiographic qualities of an area, and the local water resources. Such evaluation is especially important when the use of the land and the combination of physiographic characteristics may result in contamination of these water resources. The possibility for contamination of both surface and groundwater in Southwest Missouri is high because of the unique physiographic nature of this karst region. A number of methodologies have been developed for including the physiographic characteristics or land capabilities as part of studies when making land use decisions. Any method used must consider the range of physiographic permutations possible in the area, provide for identification of sensitivite areas, and conform to the legal constraints on land use controls. Such a system can be utilized to enhance and extend the utility of resources to the public.

Subject Categories

Earth Sciences

Copyright

© Robert L Hipple

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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