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This article discusses scientifically based decision making and the role of politics in establishing environmental dialogues. The authors argue that scientists must make value laden assumptions and extrapolate when data is uncertain. They suggest that policymaking is never completely rational and that in an adversarial process advocates seek to prevail rather than find solutions. They recommend collaboration and joint fact finding in which all participants have a role in framing the questions, analyzing the alternatives and their impacts, and fashioning solutions given the limits of the resources and levels of scientific uncertainty.