Ensuring the common for the goose: Implementing effective watershed policies

Abstract

Addressing public and scientific concerns about human impacts on long-term ecological sustainability will require new approaches to resource management. These new approaches, which place considerable emphasis on management on the landscape or watershed scale, stress holistic and integrated science, meaningful public involvement to reflect changing social goals and objectives, collaborative decision-making, and flexible and adaptable institutions. New policies that incorporate ecological understanding as well as promote democratic ideals will be required. Five guidelines can assist in designing an effective policy framework in which watershed management makes a significant contribution to the goal of long-term ecological sustainability. They include: integrate the political from the outset, build bridges to citizens, reexamine laws, rights, and responsibilities, strengthen administrative capacity, and look beyond the watershed.

Parent Publication

• Land Stewardship in the 21st Century: The Contributions of Watershed Management; 2000 March 13-16; Tucson, AZ

Citation

Cortner, Hanna J.; Moote, Margaret A. 2000. Ensuring the common for the goose: Implementing effective watershed policies. In: Ffolliott, Peter F.; Baker Jr., Malchus B.; Edminster, Carleton B.; Dillon, Madelyn C.; Mora, Karen L., tech. coords. Land Stewardship in the 21st Century: The Contributions of Watershed Management; 2000 March 13-16; Tucson, AZ. Proc. RMRS-P-13. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 247-256.