Public Participation in Watershed Management: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The prospects for expanded citizen involvement in environmental decision-making through public consultation are explored based on survey results and review of three case studies in the Grand River watershed. Public participation in watershed planning has expanded greatly during the last three decades, largely in response des differentes theories portant sur le role de la participation des citoyens aux d6cisions 6tatiques. Les trois 6tudes de cas introduits dans le texte font oart d'une 6ventail d'enjeux environnementaux qui ont fait l'objet de participation du public, allant des disputes reli6es a l'environnement, aux politiques d'am6nagement a long terme. Les r6sultats de l'enquete font part de l'attitude de la population au sujet de la participation aux d6cisions environnementales. L'analvse des r6sultats 1. Department of Sociology 2. School of Urban and Regional planning

Views on Water Management from Students of Different Faculties at the University of Calgary: Developing Water Policies Using Focus Groups

“…This contrasts with the study discussed previously (section: Literature Review) which conducted a survey and three case studies in Grand Cache, Ontario. In that study the participants were more accepting of government leading resource management and did not seem interested in participating in the decision making process (Warriner, et al, 1996). Comparing the study in Grande Cache to this research in Calgary, two different paradigms arise; while the students in Calgary see water management using the integrated, adaptive paradigm, the students in Grande Cache were using the prediction, control paradigm (Pahl-Wostl, et al, 2011).…”

“…The methods used are meant to engage the public in water management in order to gain insight from the public on local water management issues. Furthermore, some research suggests that not only do researchers and those involved in water management desire public participation, because participation improves water management in many aspects (Mostert, 2003a) but citizens themselves endorse public participation (Warriner, Madden, McSpurren, & Lukasik, 1996).…”

“…After studying consumers' perceptions of drinking water quality in Canada, Dupont (2005) argues that the use of integrated water resources management similar to that used in the United Kingdom will benefit Canada. One example of novel research on public input into water management is a study by Warriner et al (1996) who investigated public perceptions and ideas in managing the Grand River watershed. The primary source of information for public attitudes on water in Canada is the Royal Bank of Canada Water Attitudes survey that collects perceptions and behaviours regarding water use and water management ("2012RBC Canadian Water Attitudes Survey," 2012.…”

Local agenda 21 in practice - a Swedish example

“…The responsible project leaders have to encourage the citizens to take part with energy and to open up the decision-making and planning of the project (Gardner and Stern, 1996;Jasanoff, 1996;Hartig et al, 1996). Knowledge of the connections among natural conditions, social structures, technology and policy processes are important factors in the implementation processes (Daniels et al, 1996;Warriner et al, 1996;Slocombe, 1993). The strategy of the public participation chosen by the project leaders is a crucial link between the technical and social components of the process (Daniels et al, 1996).…”

Perspectives in Participatory Infrastructure Management

“…Public pressure for participatory environmental management began to emerge in the 1960s in North America 17) . Through periods of participation by invitation and participation by intervention, the current state is participation by integration.…”