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The Clearinghouse Approach to Enhancing Informed Public Participation in Watershed Management Utilizing GIS and Internet Technology
Geographic Information Systems and Internet technology provide the capability to enhance informed public participation in watershed management. This is demonstrated by a case study of the endeavor resulting in the construction of the Gunpowder Watershed Clearinghouse Website. This “clearinghouse” model represents an important tool for promoting “inclusiveness” in watershed management. This is essential, as watersheds serve the needs of diverse groups of stakeholders with divergent agendas and differing jurisdictional allegiances. It is vital to engage these diverse groups because it is upon their behavior(s) that watershed health depends. When resource managers incorporate the general public into watershed management public health is guarded, conflict can be mitigated, government transparency is increased in a digestible manner, better decisions are made, and appreciation of the need to protect natural resources nurtured. This incorporation is well served by the creation of an Internet “clearinghouse” to foster a shared watershed-based geographical identity, educate at the user's convenience, and connect stakeholders with cultural and physical resources and phenomena. Allowing sharing, rather than hoarding or duplication of resources, and creating awareness among various watershed stakeholders of each other's activities supports watershed preservation and restoration.
The Clearinghouse Approach to Enhancing Informed Public Participation in Watershed Management Utilizing GIS and Internet Technology
Geographic Information Systems and Internet technology provide the capability to enhance informed public participation in watershed management. This is demonstrated by a case study of the endeavor resulting in the construction of the Gunpowder Watershed Clearinghouse Website. This “clearinghouse” model represents an important tool for promoting “inclusiveness” in watershed management. This is essential, as watersheds serve the needs of diverse groups of stakeholders with divergent agendas and differing jurisdictional allegiances. It is vital to engage these diverse groups because it is upon their behavior(s) that watershed health depends. When resource managers incorporate the general public into watershed management public health is guarded, conflict can be mitigated, government transparency is increased in a digestible manner, better decisions are made, and appreciation of the need to protect natural resources nurtured. This incorporation is well served by the creation of an Internet “clearinghouse” to foster a shared watershed-based geographical identity, educate at the user's convenience, and connect stakeholders with cultural and physical resources and phenomena. Allowing sharing, rather than hoarding or duplication of resources, and creating awareness among various watershed stakeholders of each other's activities supports watershed preservation and restoration.
The Clearinghouse Approach to Enhancing Informed Public Participation in Watershed Management Utilizing GIS and Internet Technology
Smith, William JamesJr. (author)
Water International ; 27 ; 558-567
2002-12-01
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown
Enhancing Public Participation in Watershed Management Utilizing GIS and Internet (Abstract)
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