Using the Internet for public participation in natural resource decision making: U.S. Army Corps of engineers and the McNary Shoreline Management Plan.

摘要

The public sector is increasingly relying on Internet technology to fulfill its obligations for public input in decision-making processes. The purpose of this study is to examine citizen and agency perceptions regarding the use of the Internet in the public comment phase of a natural resource management planning process, to identify the perceived benefits and costs of using electronic and non-electronic means of communicating public comment, and to determine if there is a gap between current agency uses of the Internet in public participation and the best practices identified in the literature. The scope is small scale and regional.;From the Internet and public participation interviews conducted for this study, major findings with key practical implications are that citizens were disappointed with (a) the inability to collaborate and learn from each other during the public comment process, and (b) the lack of feedback or acknowledgment from the Corps of Engineers. Both professional practice and research implications are discussed.