Community Interdependence and Environmental Quality: Problems in Managing Non-Point Pollution

摘要

Implementing environmental goals in a region requires coordination of community efforts. When communities have different interest, coordination is difficult. Residents are likely to respond on the basis of residential self-interest rather than regional 'interests'. Public responses, are influenced by residential self-interest, knowledge and values, and the coordinating roles of local leaders. Two communities in a regional watershed were studied: one town and one rural. Data show that residential self-interest is important to public response, but its impact is limited by public knowledge and values.