Title

Citizen Participation In Natural Resource Management: Does Representativeness Matter?

Abstract

The main focus of this research is on the changing role of citizen participation in natural resource management. Evidence suggests that citizens who participate in the management of natural resources are not representative of stakeholders who are impacted by the decisions being made. In an effort to assess the representativeness of citizen participation, we conducted telephone surveys of "residents" who live in the watershed of Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Norris Reservoir and "participants" in TVA's Norris Public Lands Plan. As hypothesized, we found participants to be older, disproportionately male, more educated, and more affluent, and as having higher levels of political efficacy and trust in government than residents. Exploratory analyses revealed many other significant differences between participants and residents. We conclude by suggesting that increased and representative citizen participation is necessary for the successful implementation of an ecosystem-based approach and to address problems associated with non-point source pollution.

Publication Date

11-1-2005

Publication Title

Sociological Spectrum

Volume

25

Issue

6

Number of Pages

715-737

Document Type

Review

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1080/02732170500256732

Socpus ID

31844446537 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/31844446537

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