How Attitudes of Important Stakeholder Groups Can Influence Effective Water Quality Management

Abstract

Abstract Preliminary results of a survey of Lincoln Lake agricultural and non-agricultural watershed residents as well as water quality regulators/specialists suggests discrepancies exists in different groups perceptions of water quality, the sources of water pollution, and the roles of local, county, state and federal officials in meeting water quality objectives. JEL codes: Q25, Q53, Q59 Introduction The Lincoln Lake watershed in Northwest Arkansas is a rapidly growing area that is home to animal agriculture, urban dwellers and industry. The watershed is a sub-watershed of the Illinois River basin that expands across Northwest Arkansas and Northeastern Oklahoma (see Figure 1). This area is home to thousands of poultry farms and pastures that produce abundant forage for numerous beef and dairy cattle. While animal manure has been used effectively as a fertilizer for pasture grasses, concerns exist that that excess land applications of animal manure can lead to surface and ground water pollution due to increased runoff of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), sediment, and pathogens (e.g., Edwards et al., 1996). As surface waters cross state and county borders, disputes arise, not only across state lines but among agricultural landowners, poultry producers, environmentalists, and other stakeholders within the watershed itself. Stakeholders generally feel unrepresented in the policy process. As a result, they turn to the courts to address their disputes while policies that effectively address concerns have yet to materialize. Debate exists as to whether stakeholder involvement in the policy process can improve policy decisions (Yosie and Herbst, 1998). For instance, Kiker et al. (2005) argue that