Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at Sanibel Island, a popular tourist destination off the western coast of Florida, as a location for a beachfront hotel. This paper is written from a personal point of view as the writer discusses the process of developing a three-story beachfront hotel on Sanibel Island. The writer notes that this planned hotel has raised some concerns among island environmentalists. The writer explains that while the hotel will meet the island's three-story limit and will include a large nature preserve with raised boardwalks so guests do not disturb the environment, other facets of the project are more troubling. The writer concludes that this could end in a situation in which the environmentalists insist that the writer resolves the outstanding environmental issues in return for building just a three-story hotel.


Outline:
Situation and Facts
Issues and Objectives
Strategy plan

From the Paper
"Since a causeway was constructed linking Sanibel Island to mainland Florida, the tourism business has grown significantly and is currently a major contributor to the Sanibel Island economy. This has raised concerns among residents that the pristine environment and many of the islands key aesthetic features could be compromised. As a result, several restrictions have been placed on the development of hotels and tourist attractions on the island. For example, new buildings can not exceed three stories in height, although such restrictions do not exist on similar Gulf islands, because residents do not want to obstruct island views. Also, buildings often must be constructed on stilts or with open first floors to minimize the risks of property damage in case the island experiences flooding."

Tags:environmental, tourist, industry

Abstract
The paper relates that the story of Easter Island is one that has captured the imagination of the public almost since the discovery of the island. The paper notes that the worldwide fame of such a seemingly insignificant island would be hard to explain except for the fact that it possesses one of the most fascinating Neolithic cultures anywhere in the world. However, the paper relates that less well known to a wider populace is the story of the island's ecological devastation; while there is no doubt about what occurred, scientists still debate the causes of this sudden change. The paper examines the two main lines of argument and attempts to discover if a consensus in favor of one or the other can be established.

From the Paper
"The story of Easter Island is one that has captured the imagination of the public almost since the discovery of the island on Easter Day of 1722 by Dutch explorers. Known more accurately as "Rapa Nui" in its native language, the tiny volcanic island of about 160 sq. km. is one of the most isolated landforms in the world, more than 2,000 kilometers from the nearest inhabited neighbor (Peiser, 2005, p. 513). The worldwide fame of such a seemingly insignificant island would be hard to explain except for the fact that it possesses one of the most fascinating Neolithic cultures..."

Tags:easter island, colonialism, deforestation

Abstract
The paper relates that in 1609, Henry Hudson first spotted the white sands at Coney Island, a desolate place with clam beds and sand dunes along the Atlantic shore that was located approximately five miles south of Manhattan. The paper further relates that it would not be until 1829, that the Coney Island Road and Bridge Company built the Coney Island House, which began the summer resort business (Stanton).

From the Paper
"In 1609, Henry Hudson first spotted the white sands at Coney Island, a desolate place with clam beds and sand dunes along the Atlantic shore. It was located approximately five miles south of Manhattan. It would not be until 1829, that the Coney Island Road and Bridge Company built the Coney..."

Tags:coney, island, park

Abstract
This paper presents an exploration of the Three Mile Island meltdown of 1979. The writer examines the events leading to and during the accident, and discusses President Jimmy Carter's role in the investigation that followed. The paper argues that what happened at Three Mile Island could easily happen anywhere, and the time has come to rethink where power plants are built.

Outline:
Introduction
History
The Fallout
Investigation
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Before one can begin to understand the importance of examining future power plant construction one must have an understanding of the history of the accident.Nuclear accidents are one of the nation's biggest fears. Movies are made that depict what might happen if a meltdown occurs, and few can forget the horror of Chernobyl when the accident occurred(Fact Sheet on the Accident at Three Mile Island
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/3mile-isle.html). "

Tags:Nuclear, power, plants, Three, Mile, Island, meltdown

Abstract
In this article, the writer studies the environmental and demographic history of Easter Island. The writer maintains that basically Easter Island was very isolated. The writer points out that the human population grew quickly. Further, the writer notes that eventually most of the resources were depleted and the civilization collapsed.

From the Paper
"Easter Island is one of the most unusual places on the planet. It is one of the most isolated places occupied by humans. In 'A Green History of the World' Clive Ponting notes, Easter Island is one of the most remote, inhabited places on earth. Only some 150 square miles in area, it lies in the Pacific Ocean, 2,000 miles off the west coast of South America and 1,250 miles from the nearest inhabitable land of Pitcairn Island. The extreme isolation of Easter Island or Rapa Nui is not the islands most distinguishing feature."

Tags:easter, island, history

Abstract
The paper analyzes the theme of coming of age within this study of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island". The paper discusses how the main character, Jim Hawkins, must learn to outgrow his youthful fancies for adventure by realizing the real mortal danger that he must undergo as a mate of the Hispaniola. The paper relates that not only must he learn to understand the dangerous actions of the mutineers he faces, but he must also rely on his own personal initiative to survive and resolve the place of the hidden treasure.

Tags:island, treasure, pirates

Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of greed in Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island", focusing on the relativity of greed and its futility.

Tags:greed, Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson, pirate, boy, futility, relativity

Abstract
A critical analysis of the Rhode Island education system including laws, budget, issues, interest groups, charter schools and politics.

From the Paper
"Article XII of the Constitution of the State or Rhode Island and Providence Plantations establishes it as the duty of the General Assembly to promote schools to establish a perpetual school fund to support the schools and to ensure that all donations for the support of public schools or other educational purposes received by the General Assembly are applied according to the terms of the donors. Money is not to be diverted from this fund or in any way borrowed..."

Tags:Rhode Island, education, funding, politics, budget

Abstract
This paper describes commercial construction as "building projects exclusive of residential construction," and discusses commercial construction from both an economic point of view and from the point of view of the community. The paper discusses why commercial construction is a boon to the construction business, providing stable work even when residential construction is at a lull. The paper also discusses the complexities of managing commercial construction.

From the Paper
"Commercial construction is defined as "building projects exclusive of residential [single- or two-family home] construction". It is one of the biggest segments of the entire construction industry and is believed to have strengthened the industry in recent years due to rapid and steady growth. The commercial sector has been growing steady for some time now as is evident from market research and reports. Back in 2000, Sinderman wrote: "...the state of the commercial real estate market is strong. The demand for office, industrial and retail buildings remains high, and, as Internet-based companies continue to grow, specialized facilities have become more popular than ever." In 2005, a construction report by McGraw-Hill supported that claim: "The commercial and infrastructure construction segments are providing a lift to the overall construction industry, marking a role reversal from most of the past two or three years. According to October 2004 figures for future construction contracts calculated by McGraw-Hill Construction, Lexington, Mass., overall new construction starts increased 4 percent in October versus September (on a seasonally adjusted basis), with nonresidential and infrastructure construction gaining while the residential sector fell slightly." (Late Rebound)"

Tags:commercial, construction, residential, business, office, hotel

Abstract
Federal contracts for construction, while similar in many respects to other types of federal contracts, have some unique aspects that have caused the federal government to create a system of rules within the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) specific to construction contracts. The federal government has been justified in creating these rules separate from those that apply specifically to supply and service contracts. This paper focuses on some of the unique rules and regulations that apply to federal construction contracts, including those related to contract types, labor laws, specifications, payments, delays, and differing site conditions.

Abstract
Overview
Contract Types
Federal Construction Contracting Laws
Contract Performance and Specifications
Payment Financing
Delays
Differing Site Conditions
References

From the Paper
"The federal government is the largest owner of real property in the world (Bastianelli, et. al., 1998), so it stands to reason that they spend an enormous amount of money on construction and maintenance of that property. It is difficult to gauge exactly how much the federal government spends on construction annually, but it is noteworthy that the Department of Defense alone planned to award over $10 billion on construction contracts in 2002 (Bush, 2001). Because of this significant amount of construction outsourcing, and the intricacies that go along with construction contracting, the federal government has been justified in developing unique regulations and rules for construction contracts. The federal government, in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), defines construction as, "construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) of buildings, structures, or other real property" (FAR 2.101). Determining whether or not something is considered a building or a structure is general straightforward, although there are always exceptions. However, the line defining whether or not something is real property can, at times, be somewhat unclear. The FAR does not provide a definition for real property, but in federal contracts the common legal definition is used, that real property is, "land and all things that are attached to it" (Lectric Law Library, 2003). Though many of the clauses, terms and conditions, and rules applicable to federal construction contracts are the same, or similar, to those that are used on federal contracts for supplies, there are a number of differences in the nature of contracting for construction that have caused the federal government to create separate laws that deal specifically with federal construction contracts. One of the major differences is that construction contracts are performed on Government property. Because of this, construction contractors are subject to a great deal more in the area of inspections and general surveillance on their contracts (Abernathy and Kelleher, 1976). Construction contracts typically have much more paperwork than federal supply contracts. On construction contracts, a contractor is required to file daily reports showing that they complied with all the unique construction regulations, including safety, schedules, and submittals of material samples (Arnavas, 2001, 27.4.a.). Construction contracts are subject to much greater scrutiny on performance than supply contracts, as detailed analysis and explanation of any deficiencies are reported to contractors and contractors have the right to respond. Past performance information is also kept on construction contracts for six years, where the norm on supply contracts is three years (Arnavas, 2001, 27.4.a). Other differences that will be the focus of this paper include contract types, labor laws, specifications, payments, delays, and differing site conditions."

Tags:acquisition, architect, build, cfr, code, conditions, construction, contract, contracting, contracts, delays, design, differing, engineer, far, federal, laws, llabor, negotiation, payments, property, real, regulations, site, specifications, types