Watershed-scale social assessment

ABSTRACT:

Effective watershed-scale planning integrates place-based social information with physical landscape data to create solutions appropriate for local communities. Implicit in this integration is an understanding of the differences between planners and residents. This research utilized a multi-disciplinary social assessment to obtain information about these differences and how they might impact planning and decision-making for a polluted water supply reservoir. The assessment was structured to compare assumptions in technical understanding and social dynamics among the planning team, watershed residents, and local public officials. Results were integrated into planning efforts affecting how potential landscape changes to enhance water quality were approached, communication strategies between planners and residents, and the structure of project planning and decision-making. Given the large numbers of planning projects that require effective public participation for decision-making and implementation to meet objectives, this type of information and methodologies to collect and integrate it early in a project will be essential.