Dimensions of Community Autonomy in Timber Towns in the Inland Northwest

Abstract

Political, social, and economic dimensions of timber-dependent communities in the Interior Columbia Basin were examined based on their perceived level of autonomy. Community autonomy is defined as the extent to which communities are economically, socially, and politically linked to neighboring communities and the region as a whole. In comparison to less autonomous communities, autonomous communities were found to be more likely to (1) have a mix of industries within their community and provide more services to residents; (2) exhibit stronger civic leadership, aside from local community government; (3) have a stronger sense of community cohesiveness and place attachment to their community; and (4) rate their community higher on measures of quality of life and sense of community. The research also found that more autonomous communities tend to be geographically isolated and more able to adapt to changes in timber resource availability. Implications of these findings for the future of timber-based communities are explored.