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DeLano, Stephanie

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources

2006

M.S.

Acid rain in the northeastern United States includes a complex web of issues. These issues have been defined and partially addressed in state agencies by the scientists, technicians, planners and policy analysts employed in them. These individuals define the parameters of the phenomenon as a problem and propose solutions. In doing so they generate a great deal of scientific information that many hope will be used in making acid rain policy. One of the challenges that people must address in linking scientific information to policy in this arena is making connections between agencies and between fields of disciplinary knowledge. This thesis addresses the question of how scientific information about acid rain is communicated between and within state agencies relative to policy creation. Science in this case refers to acid rain research and monitoring. Interviews with 22 personnel in New York and Vermont revealed both barriers to communication of scientific information as well as strategies and internal or external groups (hubs) through which people work to overcome these barriers.
In particular participants described 9 barriers to the transfer of scientific information in the northeastern states of New York and Vermont and 20 strategies used to redress the problems created by such barriers. While some barriers continue to dampen communication between and within divisions, information hubs can and have played a role in surmounting many barriers and avoiding others. The findings of this study indicate that strengthening connections within and between information hubs on a state and regional level may lead to innovative policies through better communication and understanding of science.