Robust, credible science was thought to be the arbiter of conflicting points of view in regards to natural resource management. Unfortunately, the environmental groups got a hold of for hire “science: and tweaked it into “advocacy science” that supported their point of view. As government standards usually include “best available science,” they provided their brand for areas where studies were weak or non-existent. They have also used inappropriate models with adjusted assumptions and pre-determined outcomes to push their point.
Science has now become suspect and adulterated. We have lost a good tool when we can’t even agree on facts any more.