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Title: Community implementation dynamics: nutrient management in the New York City and Chesapeake Bay watersheds

Author
item STERNER, GLEN - Pennsylvania State University
item Bryant, Ray
item Kleinman, Peter
item WATSON, JACK - Pennsylvania State University
item ALTER, TED - Pennsylvania State University

Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2015
Publication Date: 7/30/2015
Citation: Sterner, G.E., Bryant, R.B., Kleinman, P.J., Watson, J., Alter, T. 2015. Community implementation dynamics: nutrient management in the New York City and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. International Journal of Rural Law and Policy. 1 Available: https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/ijrlp/article/view/4366/4812.

Interpretive Summary: The success of watershed management programs is largely based on the participation of local communities. We examine two case studies in the eastern US where agricultural nutrient management is at the core of water quality improvement programs. The themes of local engagement, cost sharing to support practice adoption, and a transparent, participatory approach are all key to the success of watershed management programs.

Technical Abstract: Conservation of natural resources has implications for international, national, and local citizens. The creation of natural resource management and conservation strategies can be affected by engagement with local citizens and competing interests between agencies and stakeholders at the varying levels of governance. This paper examines the role of local engagement and the interaction between governance levels on the outcomes of nutrient management policy, a specific area of natural resource conservation and management. Presented are two case studies of the New York City and Chesapeake Bay Watersheds in the United States. These case studies touch upon the themes of local citizen engagement and governance stakeholder interaction in changing nutrient management to improve water quality. An analysis of these cases leads to several key considerations in the creation and implementation of nutrient management and natural resource management more broadly including the importance of local citizen engagement, government brokering, cost sharing, and emphasizing dignity and respect between stakeholders in the policy creation and implementation process.