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If similar environmental impact studies cost half as much... Who defines "similar"? Is a study performed in Texas similar to one performed in California? Is

by btilly 6y ago

If similar environmental impact studies cost half as much... Who defines "similar"? Is a study performed in Texas similar to one performed in California? Is a study performed on land that drains into the municipal water supply similar to one performed on land that doesn't? Are two studies performed near each other location 10 years apart "similar" if new laws have come into existence, or a local species has been declared endangered in the meantime? No matter how obvious the matter might seem, people will still disagree. And the people spending money can always come up with justifications. ...or if the study was not read by those who ordered it that is a pretty clear case. How do you prove that those who ordered it did not read the study? And what if they did not read the study, but instead read a summary of it prepared by someone qualified who did read the study?

willcipriano 6y ago
> Who defines "similar"? A court of law. > Is a study performed in Texas similar to one performed in California? Is a study performed on land that drains into the municipal water supply similar to one performed on land that doesn't? Are two studies performed near each other location 10 years apart "similar" if new laws have come into existence, or a local species has been declared endangered in the meantime? I don't have the answer to these questions but I wager that we can find experts who do. Presumably firms exist that do hundreds or thousands of studies annually, those firms could testify how they would bid such a project. What the cost structure typically looks like. > How do you prove that those who ordered it did not read the study? A government employee could send a email to the effect that the report was not considered that is later discovered. Alternatively, a whistle-blower may clandestinely gather evidence in order to collect the bounty for themselves. > And what if they did not read the study, but instead read a summary of it prepared by someone qualified who did read the study? That seems like a reasonable use of funds. This isn't going to catch every case, the purpose is to provide a natural check to government corruption and waste. Discoveries made by this system may lead to the judicial branch investigating those who made these choices. The FBI could use these tips to target sting operations. The voting public may use this information to decide whom they are going to elect, and the best part is it's free.
- chongli 6y ago
  A court of law. If you think these projects are overpriced now, you can’t imagine how expensive they’ll be when every private citizen has been armed with legislation that lets them take the city to court in an attempt to win these cases. Every project will need a team of lawyers and auditors to check that absolutely everything in the project is beyond reproach. It’s just insane how much things would blow up.
  - btilly 6y ago
    Exactly. In fact https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-12_infrastructure_costs_v2.pdf https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07... argues that most of the increase in construction costs since the 1960s can be attributed to an increasing role for "citizen voices". I have to believe that increasing the power of citizens to impact the process will only make it worse.
- bavell 6y ago
  You want to involve a court of law in order to bring costs down? You've just massively increased the project budget and timeline without solving anything.

by btilly 6y ago

willcipriano 6y ago

> Who defines "similar"? A court of law. > Is a study performed in Texas similar to one performed in California? Is a study performed on land that drains into the municipal water supply similar to one performed on land that doesn't? Are two studies performed near each other location 10 years apart "similar" if new laws have come into existence, or a local species has been declared endangered in the meantime? I don't have the answer to these questions but I wager that we can find experts who do. Presumably firms exist that do hundreds or thousands of studies annually, those firms could testify how they would bid such a project. What the cost structure typically looks like. > How do you prove that those who ordered it did not read the study? A government employee could send a email to the effect that the report was not considered that is later discovered. Alternatively, a whistle-blower may clandestinely gather evidence in order to collect the bounty for themselves. > And what if they did not read the study, but instead read a summary of it prepared by someone qualified who did read the study? That seems like a reasonable use of funds. This isn't going to catch every case, the purpose is to provide a natural check to government corruption and waste. Discoveries made by this system may lead to the judicial branch investigating those who made these choices. The FBI could use these tips to target sting operations. The voting public may use this information to decide whom they are going to elect, and the best part is it's free.

chongli 6y ago
A court of law. If you think these projects are overpriced now, you can’t imagine how expensive they’ll be when every private citizen has been armed with legislation that lets them take the city to court in an attempt to win these cases. Every project will need a team of lawyers and auditors to check that absolutely everything in the project is beyond reproach. It’s just insane how much things would blow up.
- btilly 6y ago
  Exactly. In fact https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07-12_infrastructure_costs_v2.pdf https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-07... argues that most of the increase in construction costs since the 1960s can be attributed to an increasing role for "citizen voices". I have to believe that increasing the power of citizens to impact the process will only make it worse.
bavell 6y ago
You want to involve a court of law in order to bring costs down? You've just massively increased the project budget and timeline without solving anything.