Sources of information on water issues used by local elected policymakers: What role do environmental professionals play?
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States)
At all levels of government, the means through which policymakers acquire information about water issues is instrumental to their construction of policy. Sources of education and information shape the scientific, political, economic and social context within which water policy develops. Both the general direction and the specific construction of policy are influenced by the availability, source and perceived reliability of information on water issues. This study examines local policymakers` formal and informal education and use and perception of information sources on water issues. A mail survey was used. Respondents were county commissioners and city council members in select rural, mixed, and urban counties in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Sources of information examined included private technical and legal experts, local county and city government staff and managers, federal and state agency personnel, colleges and universities, local utilities, private industry, constituents, concerned citizens groups and nonprofit organizations, and print and broadcast media. Respondents were asked about the frequency with which they utilized each source to (1) obtain general information on water issues and (2) assist in making policy decisions. Sources were evaluated in terms of availability, relevancy (useful and timely) and reliability (authoritative and credible). Respondents were also asked to provide information on educational attainment and coursework taken pertaining to water and natural resource policy, law, and management. The results of the survey are used to compare the sources of information most frequently utilized by policymakers coming from differing geographic locales and to identify those information sources perceived to be most available and of the highest quality. The relationship between perceived quality and frequency of use is examined. The role of environmental professionals as sources of information to be used in the policymaking arena is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- National Association of Environmental Professionals, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 125933
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9506115--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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