Public Participation in National Forest Planning: A Case Study of the Monongahela National Forest, WV
Investigators:
Evan Mercer,
Southern Research Station
Robert Healy, Duke University
Toddi A. Steelman, Duke University
Description:
The planning process in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest (MNF) has been highlighted as a success story in the context of National Forest planning. Controversy and conflict typified the early stages of the MNF planning process, but the final outcome was supported and implemented by the stakeholders involved. This study explored the MNF planning process to evaluate the framework used to encourage and utilize public involvement in decision-making. Semi-structured interviews, content analysis and an archival document review were used to determine the process and participant characteristics in the MNF planning process. The content analysis was based on a random sample (n=1016) of the 3,597 communications received by the MNF during the mandated comment period and 26 participants were interviewed using a snowball sampling technique. Archival documents, including agency records, local newspaper articles, planning documents, transcripts and audio recordings of public meetings were ued to verify the findings in the content analysis and interviews. The data revealed that the MNF planning model utilized elements of both elite and participatory models of decision-making and that this approach contributed to the success of the MNF planning process. A dynamic theory of participation is developed from this research to show how the interaction of elite and participatory decision-making processes contribute to successful environmental and natural resource policy-making.
Problem Area(s):
Regional analyses,
Influence of change,
Market-level models,
Public programs
Status:
Completed
Products:
Steelman, Toddi A. 1996. Democratic theory and public participation in natural resource policy-making: a case study of the Monongahela National Forest planning process. Book of abstracts: The sixth international symposium on society and resource management: social behavior, natural resources, and the environment; 1996 May 18-23; University Park, PA. University Park: The Pennsylvania State University: 69. Abstract.
Steelman, Toddi A. 1996. Democratic theory, public participation and National Forest management: a case of the Monongahela National Forest. Durham, NC: Duke University. 285. Ph.D. dissertation.
Steelman, Toddi A. 1996. Public participation in National Forest management: a case study of the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. In: Technical expertise and public decisions: Proceedings: 1996 international symposium on technology and society; 1996 June 21-22; Princeton, NJ. Piscataway, NJ: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Society on Social Implications of Technology: 5 p.
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modified:
13-MAR-2000
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USDA FS SRS
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