(1) Ensure that a diversity of interest groups are represented, including recreation user groups, affected government agencies, nature enthusiasts, tourism operators, local business interests, academia, and others. The following guidelines should be followed to select task force members: This is important because decisions that are developed and supported by a diverse task force will usually be acceptable to the public at large. Task-force members should be selected to represent diverse groups even though they will have varied views on management objectives and the methods of achieving them. It is important to first identify interest groups (those who have a stake in the future of the resource) and then identify specific people who can represent those groups on the task force.
#5 STEP CONFLICT RESOLUTION MODEL FULL#
Quality decision-making depends upon the participation of a full spectrum of public interests. Selecting the members of the task force is an important first step. Set guidelines for selecting task-force members These techniques include setting guidelines for selecting task-force members, defining responsibilities and operating rules, using a four-level approach to consensus decision-making, using a positive method for identifying issues and mutually acceptable goals, and rotating small groups to develop management actions and solve contentious issues. The techniques for task-force decision-making outlined in this paper are designed specifically to provide members of the public with an opportunity to shape planning decisions for parks and protected areas. The techniques described can be used in any regional planning exercise that looks towards a logical resolution of conflicting needs and interests.Įxperience in the United States has shown that a public task force or advisory group is often a very useful way to resolve conflicts and to assist managers in making planning and management decisions. The conflicts addressed included competing recreation uses, grazing, timber harvest, fish and wildlife, mineral extraction, and historic preservation. These include areas such as the Snake River in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in Idaho (Krumpe and McCoy, 1991), the Metolius River Conservation Area in Oregon, the Arkansas River Recreation Area in Colorado (BLM, 1988), and the Jedediah Smith Wilderness in Wyoming. The five techniques discussed in this paper were use by several public task forces created to develop management plans and solve conflicts between competing uses in United States parks and protected areas. Successful long-term management of public lands requires a degree of trust between government agencies, private interests, and the public that can be developed through a public participation process that is truly accessible, responsive, and interactive.
#5 STEP CONFLICT RESOLUTION MODEL HOW TO#
It is only natural that conflicting viewpoints should arise about how to manage and utilize these resources. Managers of parks and protected areas are faced with mounting pressures to make resource decisions that balance the competing needs of a growing population with a dwindling base of natural resources (Crowfoot and Wondolleck, 1990). The "four levels for support" to reach consensusĪ positive approach to identify issues and set goalsĪ team rotation technique to develop management actions Chapter 6 - Techniques for resolving conflict in natural resource management