Public Perceptions of the Legitimacy of Water Governance Organizations in Nebraska and Washington

Abstract

Environmental scholars propose increasing organizational legitimacy to improve the effectiveness of natural resource governance. This study applies Suchman's (1995) organizational legitimacy types to understand how Washington and Nebraska residents legitimize organizations involved in the governance of the Ogallala Aquifer and the Columbia–Snake River system. Using a representative survey, I explore the views of members of the public on which water governance organization they believe should be most responsible for resolving conflicts over their respective water system, and how they legitimize their selection. Results indicate almost half of Nebraska and Washington residents view state government as most responsible, followed by either local or federal government organizations. Findings also show similarities in the ways residents legitimize their selections, though multivariate analyses demonstrate certain legitimacy types are more predictive of a person's selection of one governance organization over another. This study shows the importance of balancing multiple legitimizing factors to effectively govern water resources.