TITLE:
A Stakeholder-Guided Collaborative Approach to Improve Water Quality in a Nutrient Surplus Watershed
AUTHORS:
Hector German Rodriguez, Jennie Popp, Edward Gbur, John Pennington
KEYWORDS:
Stakeholders’ Perceptions, Environmental Decision Making, Best Management Practices, Nutrient Surplus Watershed, Watershed Management
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.6 No.6,
April
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: The need
for water quality improvement in nutrient surplus watersheds is a pressing
issue on the agenda of some government agencies and environmental
organizations. Including the water quality perceptions of different affected
stakeholder groups in the decision-making process may help in addressing this
issue. Unfortunately, there is a lack of published research focusing
specifically on understanding how Arkansas stakeholders’ perceptions of water
quality issues can be used to build and implement comprehensive and workable
water quality management plans. Therefore, the objective of this study was to
use a stakeholder-guided collaborative approach to help research and outreach
personnel to understand water quality perceptions of key stakeholders and to integrate
stakeholder engagement in both the decision-making process and in the
implementation of water quality management strategies within the Lincoln Lake
Watershed in northwest Arkansas. Two key stakeholder groups (i.e., Locals—residents and agricultural
producers—and Outsiders—water quality specialist across the state) were
surveyed to assess their perceptions regarding: 1) causes of watershed water
quality problems, 2) parties responsible for water quality improvement, 3)
effectiveness and affordability of best management practices to reduce water
quality degradation, and 4) the stakeholders’ interactions with county, state
and federal government. A total of 209 complete surveys (49% response rate)
were received. Survey responses were compared to determine if significant
differences existed between the two stakeholder groups’ perceptions of water
quality performing Fisher’s exact tests. Results from the study showed that
water quality is still perceived as an issue in the Lincoln Lake Watershed.
Significant differences were found between the two stakeholder groups’
perceptions regarding: 1) different groups’ contributions to water degradation,
2) groups’ responsibilities for cleanup, 3) effectiveness of five best
management practices, 4) affordability of four best management practices, and
5) what level of government (i.e.,
county, state, federal) best represents Locals’ water quality needs and concerns.
The lessons learned from this collaborative approach helped identifying Locals’
important knowledge gaps regarding water quality and best management practices
effectiveness. Consequently, awareness and education campaigns in conjunction
with a stewardship recognition program were conducted to encourage appropriate
water conservation strategies within the Lincoln Lake watershed and its
adjacent areas.