Public participation : citizen involvement in environmental management decision-making, a Northern California perspective

Graduation Date

2000

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Environmental Systems: International Development Technology, 2000

Committee Chair Name

Daniel Ihara

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Humboldt State University -- Theses -- International Development Technology, Political participation--California, Environmental policy--California--Citizen participation

Abstract

The public participation plan analyzed in this thesis attempts to strike a balance between the formal structure of an applied science driven watershed analysis and the environmental aims and aspirations of the general public. The key points of the plan involve an ongoing evaluation of public participation and the ability of the general public to subn1it formal proposals to state and federal agency personnel and forestry production stakeholder the Pacific Lumber Company (PALCO). The research outlined in this thesis contributed to the development of a public participation plan within a government mandated watershed analysis. Guiding questions used to develop constructive citizen participation, and core ethical values for the practice of public participation were reviewed to evaluate the level of public involvement that is presently being undertaken. Timber harvest management practices that focus on clear-cut logging for large-scale forestry production are in conflict with the environmental concerns of citizens groups and non-government environmental organizations located in Northern California. On March 1, 1999, the California state and federal government purchased the largest remaining private stand of old growth "headwaters" redwood forest from PALCO. As part of this agreement, PALCO signed a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Sustained Yield Plan (SYP) that committed the company to undertake a scientifically based watershed analysis on its lands over a five-year period. As required by the HCP, public comment in the development of watershed analysis is encouraged.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/jh343v471

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