2008 Internship Project Descriptions
The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions
The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy
Solutions at Duke University is a nonpartisan institute founded
in 2005 to engage with decision makers in government, the
private sector, and the nonprofit community to develop innovative
proposals that address critical environmental challenges.
The Institute will address the demand for high-quality and
timely data relevant to these pressing environmental problems.
It seeks to act as an "honest broker" in policy debates by
fostering open, ongoing dialogue between stakeholders on all
sides of the issues and policy-relevant analysis based on
academic research. The Institute's staff leverages the broad
expertise of Duke University as well as public and private
partners nationwide.
http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/institute/
Project
1:
Benefits analysis of a Nutrient Management Strategy for the
Upper Neuse River Basin.
Project
2: Evaluate the role of the private sector in providing offsets
for water quality trading markets
Project
3: Evaluate the potential for state-wide water use efficiency
and reuse programs
Project
4: Propose policy options and plans for a local government's
best approach to protecting water quantity and quality.
Project
5: Create your own project within the realm of North Carolina's
water resources
Project 1:
Benefits analysis of a Nutrient Management Strategy for the Upper Neuse River Basin.
Project Description: The
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
is in the beginning phases of developing a nutrient management
strategy for Falls Lake (Raleigh's drinking water supply)
and the entire Upper Neuse River Basin, which drains into
Falls Lake. Falls Lake will be listed on the 303(d) list for
water quality impairments due to high levels of nitrogen and
phosphorous. Part of the requirements for new nutrient management
rules includes a fiscal analysis. DENR will likely be looking
to institutions and consulting groups for help in conducting
this analysis. We would like to help provide information and
facilitate the process. The intern would be working on the
benefits analysis piece of the process: pulling together information
on what the environmental and economic benefits of implementing
the nutrient reduction strategy will be.
Responsibilities: The
intern will be responsible for pulling together information
via the internet, phone calls, the library, and other resources.
He/she will attend and/or organize meetings as necessary with
other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
Expected Products: The
intern's work will result in summary documents and memos to
be shared with other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
These reports can be combined and expanded upon to become
a Master's Project.
Qualifications: Experience
with economic analysis and an interest in ecosystem service
valuation. Self-motivated.
Location: The
intern would be working at the Institute's office on 2101
Campus Dr.
Supervisor: Bill Holman, Visiting Senior Fellow, Bill.holman@duke.edu
Additional Information:
The intern can use work done during the summer to
develop a very timely and relevant Master's Project.
Project
2: Evaluate the role of the private sector in providing offsets
for water quality trading markets
Project Description: Using
the Neuse River Basin's Nutrient Management Program as a case
study, the intern would evaluate the barriers and opportunities
available to 'green entrepreneurs' (private companies doing
mitigation banking, restoration, etc.) to get involved in
providing offsets for point and non point sources of pollution.
This project would involve research, working with stakeholders,
and investigating comparable markets in other basins and states.
It would result in the intern gaining more intimate knowledge
of a complex but cutting-edge aspect of resource management.
Responsibilities: The
intern will be responsible for pulling together information
via the internet, phone calls, the library, and other resources.
He/she will attend and/or organize meetings as necessary with
other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
Expected Products: The
intern's work will result in summary documents and memos to
be shared with other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
These reports can be combined and expanded upon to become
a Master's Project.
Qualifications: Interest
in ecosystem services and markets, self-motivated.
Location: The
intern would be working at the Institute's office on 2101
Campus Dr.
Supervisor: Bill
Holman, Visiting Senior Fellow, Bill.holman@duke.edu
Additional Information:
The intern can use work done during the summer to
develop a very timely and relevant Master's Project.
Project
3: Evaluate the potential for state-wide water use efficiency
and reuse programs
Project Description: Water
use efficiency is an increasingly attractive option to leaders
and decision makers across the state of North Carolina, as
the worst drought on record continues to force water suppliers
to scramble for options and new sources of supply. The intern
would identify the barriers that exist for North Carolina-wide
water use efficiency and reuse programs as well as begin to
quantify the potential savings to be had by implementing efficiency
programs - perhaps modeled after similar studies in other
states.
Responsibilities: The
intern will be responsible for pulling together information
via the internet, phone calls, the library, and other resources.
He/she will attend and/or organize meetings as necessary with
other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
Expected Products: The
intern's work will result in summary documents and memos to
be shared with other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
These reports can be combined and expanded upon to become
a Master's Project.
Qualifications: Interest
in environmental policy and some experience with environmental
economics; self-motivated.
Location: The
intern would be working at the Institute's office on 2101
Campus Dr.
Supervisor: Bill
Holman, Visiting Senior Fellow, Bill.holman@duke.edu
Additional Information:
The intern can use work done during the summer to
develop a very timely and relevant Master's Project.
Project
4: Propose policy options and plans for a local government's
best approach to protecting water quantity and quality.
Project Description: We
continually see local government's approving development that
negatively affects our water resources - both quantity and
quality. Examine the chain of decisions being made at a local
or regional level to promote development and identify the
weak links in the system that allow these land use decisions.
Identify policy options that encourage better protection of
water resources in city planning, using innovative techniques
found in municipalities in NC or other states or countries.
Responsibilities: The
intern will be responsible for pulling together information
via the internet, phone calls, the library, and other resources.
He/she will attend and/or organize meetings as necessary with
other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
Expected Products: The
intern's work will result in summary documents and memos to
be shared with other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
These reports can be combined and expanded upon to become
a Master's Project.
Qualifications: :
Interest in environmental policy and some experience in planning;
self-motivated.
Location: The
intern would be working at the Institute's office on 2101
Campus Dr.
Supervisor: Bill
Holman, Visiting Senior Fellow, Bill.holman@duke.edu
Additional Information:
The intern can use work done during the summer to
develop a very timely and relevant Master's Project.
Project
5: Create your own project within the realm of North Carolina's
water resources
Project Description: The
Nicholas Institute is working on numerous projects having
to do with North Carolina's water resources: allocations,
drought, efficiency, reducing nutrient loading. We are working
to provide policy options for local and state government based
on sound science and research. Work with Institute staff to
design your own summer research project, supporting one of
our subjects of interest.
Responsibilities: The
intern will be responsible for pulling together information
via the internet, phone calls, the library, and other resources.
He/she will attend and/or organize meetings as necessary with
other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
Expected Products: The
intern's work will result in summary documents and memos to
be shared with other stakeholders in the Neuse River Basin.
These reports can be combined and expanded upon to become
a Master's Project.
Qualifications: Interest
in environmental policy and water resources; self-motivated.
Location: The
intern would be working at the Institute's office on 2101
Campus Dr.
Supervisor: Bill
Holman, Visiting Senior Fellow, Bill.holman@duke.edu
Additional Information:
The intern can use work done during the summer to
develop a very timely and relevant Master's Project.
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