Comparing risk management practices at the local levels of government with those at the state and federal levels

Abstract

This paper contrasts the current view of risk management held by local government officials with those views held by both state level and federal level government officials. While generalization is itself risky, all of our observations point towards the conclusion that relative to state and federal officials, local government officials have little understanding of, hence little concern for, the quantity of risk posed for citizens by various hazards. To the extent that it seems desirable to place risk-management type decisions in the hands of local government officials, then some capacity for risk quantification, hence comparison, must be developed. The findings presented in this paper are drawn from both generalized surveys of local and state decision makers and analyses of specific cases studied. These case studies include the decision to: remove asbestos from schools; close down a copper smelting facility in Tacoma, WA; shut off contaminated drinking wells; site hazardous waste facilities; and store hazardous chemicals.