Testing alternative decision approaches for identifying cleanup priorities at contaminated sites.
This exploratory study compares two approaches for involving nonexpert stakeholders in difficult policy choices. Both approaches have as their goal informing members of the public about contaminated sites and involving them in decisions regarding their cleanup. The first approach focuses on technical information and seeks to improve the available knowledge base so that participants can make choices informed by detailed scientific data. This approach is similar in intent to many of the science-based initiatives in public involvement now being undertaken by EPA, DOE, and other federal or state agencies. The second approach, in contrast, focuses on values-oriented information and seeks to improve stakeholders' ability to make difficult choices in light of required tradeoffs across a variety of technical and nontechnical concerns. The results demonstrate that although both approaches help to increase participants' knowledge level, a values-based approach is more successful in terms of helping nonexpert participants to make decisions aboutwhat have historically been viewed as primarily technical problems.
Environmental Communication, Analysis & Research for Policy Working Group, School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1085, USA. arvai.7@osu.edu
Joseph
J
Arvai
Robin
R
Gregory
D003657:Decision Making; D004777:Environment; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D011050:Policy Making; D011639:Public Opinion; D018570:Risk Assessment
D006256:Hazardous Waste