Sediment management and stakeholder involvement

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the basic questions concerning stakeholder involvement in the decision-making processes with respect to sediment management and consequently on the recommendations that can be derived from this. The chapter is based on both the scientific literature and the SedNet workshops. The pitfalls of stakeholder involvement are also mentioned as the process of stakeholder involvement is not as simple as it may seem at first glance. Dealing with sediment management at the river basin scale is a complex policy issue with a wide variety of different policy levels, and stakeholders involved, with different interests and perspectives. The future management of sediment whether at specific sites or at the river basin scale will have to incorporate the views, interests, and perspectives of the various stakeholders. The stakeholder process, therefore, deserves a lot of attention and it should be done in a serious way, whereas people that are not taken seriously will be disappointed and pull out of the process. The general unawareness of the general public and the complexity of the sediment issue are important hurdles to overcome.