Bringing stakeholder values into environmental policy choices: a community-based estuary case study

This paper discusses a methodology for joining deliberation and analysis, using the case-study example of a National Estuary Program planning effort in Tillamook Bay, OR, USA. We describe the development of a community-based evaluation tool that links actions proposed by technical experts (e.g. biologists, ecologists, engineers) to restore functioning of the Tillamook Bay estuary with the values and concerns expressed by community residents. This task required the explicit consideration of trade-offs across multiple benefits, costs, and risks. We describe the design and results of an evaluation workbook, developed with input from both the EPA staff and community residents, that provided insight to decision makers by presenting participants with explicit choices across the key dimensions and consequences of proposed actions. The final section of the paper discusses the successes and limitations of the project in relation to evaluation needs associated with other environmental policy initiatives. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.