This report assumes that maintaining ecosystem integrity and restoring anadromous salmonid populations are desirable goals. It also assumes that maintaining the productive capacity of the system is more important than short term benefits. This report has not investigated whether these assumptions have been accepted (or rejected) by the community. A limitation of this project to date is that suggested goals have not been approved by the local community.

As a foundation for decision-making, clearly identified goals are essential. Furthermore widespread participation in goal formulation is necessary. Strategies for ecosystem restoration and economic sustainability should strive to create agreement among all components of the community (Duncan 1995). This approach is effective because full participation and collaboration of the community can lead to mobilization of large amounts of energy and resources. In addition to discussion of values and general goals, this process should identify the forms of biological productivity of the ecosystem that benefit humans, including potential forms of productivity.

Although full participation and collaboration of the community requires initial investment in listening and discussing values, this is necessary to create the requisite commitment to goals. It takes soul-searching and collaboration to create goals that synthesize the full range of community needs and expectations. When people articulate what they want out of life in their own words, based on values found within, a strong commitment is formed. In addition to development of commitment to values and goals, this process creates additional progress by increasing communication and respect among divergent groups. Because successful ecosystem restoration requires a long term commitment, it is wise to invest time in building trust and agreement among the factions of the community.

In the present political climate, the future of the Smith River watershed cannot be decided autonomously by local residents. For better or worse, there are many other parties to these decisions. For example, the American people are exerting considerable political pressure to maintain anadromous fisheries. If the local community fails to address the national interests, these huge political forces will find expression elsewhere, probably in a distant political center. When decisions are made in faraway places, it is likely that local interests will be overlooked. In this sense, there is a "community of interests" for the Smith River watershed that encompasses local, regional, and national demands. Without maximum participation of all factions of the community and other involved parties, those not initially included often raise objections later, causing earlier work to unravel. Building a broad-based agreement helps prevent counterproductive use of energy and resources in lawsuits and other polarizing activities. Support from residents is important for practical and logistical reasons as well; they are in the best position to implement and monitor projects (or undermine them).

Collaboration among diverse groups goes against the tendency to adopt adversarial positions that is prevalent in our culture. Communication and collaboration concerning goals and methods is especially necessary in communities with a history of disagreement about "jobs versus the environment". When collaboration is absent, community members typically work toward conflicting goals, and one interest group may attempt an "end run" around their opposition. Regardless of who wins of loses, solutions that result in "winners" and "losers" are inherently unstable and are likely to collapse. The side that feels defeated will regroup and may succeed in electing a sympathetic political candidate. This results in reversals in policies as politicians come and go. Unfortunately, this is business-as-usual, and consequently opportunities to achieve community values are not actualized. Creating a community commitment to long-term restoration is not simply a "feel-good" idea; it is necessary to create restoration programs with sufficient continuity. Building community consensus for a vision of the future could be the most important legacy of this project.

This page is hosted by Get your own Free Home Page