UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Royer, Elizabeth J.
Title:
Dept./Program:
Natural Resource Planning Program
Year:
2004
Degree:
M.S.
Abstract:
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) initiated statewide efforts for river basin planning in 1998. Through Vermont Basin Planning, the DEC strives to create successful watershed plans that involve meaningful public participation. Public participation provides an opportunity to consider and incorporate local knowledge in the planning process. Local knowledge includes opinions, values, and information about the natural and social environment of a place. This knowledge can be gained through close contact with the environment over an extended period of time. Although the basin planning process is still evolving, local knowledge may be essential for plan design, public acceptance, and community implementation of the final watershed plan.
This thesis investigated local knowledge in the context of the basin planning process in the Lamoille River watershed of northern Vermont. It focused on public perspectives, opinions, and locally generated data as they relate to the working landscape and lay monitoring activities in the Lamoille watershed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with basin residents, observations at Lamoille Watershed Council meetings, and document analysis. Emergent themes highlighted connections to the land, the loss of the working landscape, perceived water quality problems, community participation, strengths and weaknesses of information collected by citizens, and recommendations for basin planning in the Lamoille watershed. By farming and logging the land, observing rivers and streams, and assessing the basin's waters, Lamoille residents have developed unique knowledge about the watershed where they work and reside. Those who work the land may not recognize the knowledge they hold. However, this knowledge is necessary for community buy-in and successful plan implementation: Through lay monitoring, citizens provide data that can be used throughout the basin planning process to connect with the public and enhance assessment capabilities. State data users are challenged by the reliability of volunteer data, while lay monitors are frustrated that the data are not being used to their potential. Plan priorities should correspond with the needs, opinions, and information provided by local residents. The overall findings suggest that Lamoille basin planning is a complex process that can become more effective and engaging through the incorporation of local knowledge from residents of the working landscape and lay monitoring volunteers.
This thesis investigated local knowledge in the context of the basin planning process in the Lamoille River watershed of northern Vermont. It focused on public perspectives, opinions, and locally generated data as they relate to the working landscape and lay monitoring activities in the Lamoille watershed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with basin residents, observations at Lamoille Watershed Council meetings, and document analysis. Emergent themes highlighted connections to the land, the loss of the working landscape, perceived water quality problems, community participation, strengths and weaknesses of information collected by citizens, and recommendations for basin planning in the Lamoille watershed. By farming and logging the land, observing rivers and streams, and assessing the basin's waters, Lamoille residents have developed unique knowledge about the watershed where they work and reside. Those who work the land may not recognize the knowledge they hold. However, this knowledge is necessary for community buy-in and successful plan implementation: Through lay monitoring, citizens provide data that can be used throughout the basin planning process to connect with the public and enhance assessment capabilities. State data users are challenged by the reliability of volunteer data, while lay monitors are frustrated that the data are not being used to their potential. Plan priorities should correspond with the needs, opinions, and information provided by local residents. The overall findings suggest that Lamoille basin planning is a complex process that can become more effective and engaging through the incorporation of local knowledge from residents of the working landscape and lay monitoring volunteers.