Improving Public Participation in Resource Protection: Case Studies in North-Central Idaho

Abstract

Public involvement in resource protection is necessary for many resource entities and initiatives, yet public response is often confrontational, apathetic or non-existent. An alternative process that promotes greater ownership and involvement in planning was offered to participants within the existing state water protection planning guidelines leading to state plan certification. Four rural, traditionally independent north-central Idaho communities located within an Indian Reservation participated in a water protection planning study. Case studies suggest willingness and preference on the part of communities to use government data, technical expertise and recommendations when given control of the planning process. This work provides new information on improving community involvement within existing regulatory frameworks.

Keywords:

• Public participation
• public involvement
• rural communities
• water resource protection
• Idaho
• Nez Perce Indian Reservation

Acknowledgements

The four communities located on the Nez Perce Reservation of Idaho: Lapwai, Nez Perce, Orofino and Winchester are applauded for their willingness to try something different and for their true dedication to progressive and positive change. We thank John Bokor and Melinda Harper of Idaho Rural Water Association for their assistance in our efforts. Melinda Harper provided essential assistance and cooperation during the field study, and we recognize her for her continuing dedicated work in water protection. We appreciate the hardworking individuals at the State of Idaho, who allowed experimental procedures in the middle of an ambitious schedule to get water source delineations to every community in Idaho within one to two years. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Nez Perce Tribe, who always knew the deeply connected nature of people and their lands.

This research was supported with United States Geological Survey—USGS104B FY01 program grant number 01HQGR0147 0143700002, through the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute.