Online Public Participation in Water Resources Management: Federal Agencies and Collaborative Innovations

Keywords: Online participatory tools, PPGIS, stakeholder engagement, public participation, water governance
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Sunday
Session Start / End Time: 2/27/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/27/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 53

Abstract

Wicked problems, such as managing scarce water resources in a changing climate, call for increased attention to methods of collaborative decision making. Public participation in water governance can increase innovation, lend legitimacy to decisions, and reduce unintended and inequitable outcomes. Research that explores innovative methods and tools for engaging diverse stakeholders and the public can assist in meeting these challenges. My prior and on-going research with the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies sheds light on barriers and opportunities to implementing new technologies and methods. First, I will present on the results of two pilot projects that tested innovative methods of stakeholder engagement for Colorado River management in the context of unprecedented water scarcity. The purpose of the public process was to evaluate, in partnership with stakeholders, the effectiveness of shortage guidelines, conservation programs, and reservoir management strategies known as the 2007 Interim Guidelines. Second, I will report on on-going qualitative research exploring the scope and extent of geospatial online participatory tools used by federal water resource agencies (e.g., Army Corps of Engineers' use of ESRI Crowd Source Reporter). Federal agencies face a variety of institutional, political, and resource constraints in adopting innovations in public participation. Investments in outreach and communications are important for overcoming political barriers. University partnerships can address institutional and resource constraints by increasing capacity and implementing the technological innovations.