Achieving public participation in coastal zone environmental impact assessment |
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Authors: | D E Johnson S Dagg |
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Institution: | (1) School of Maritime and Coastal Studies, Southampton Institute, East Park Terrace, SO41 ORD Southampton, UK;(2) Environmental Policy and Management Group, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BP London, UK |
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Abstract: | The case is made in this paper for early and integrative public participation in planning decisions concerning proposals major
development in the zone. This is perhaps easy to subscribe to in theory but much more difficult in practice. Currently the
extent and timing of public involvement in such decisions varies widely. A key benefit is the legitimacy that public participation
provides to the planning process and, perhaps as a result, a variety of public involvement methodologies have emerged. Important
considerations include which sections of the public to involve and at what stage in the decision-making process to involve
them. The multidisciplinary nature of coastla zone issues will tend to engage a wide variety of stakeholder groups who in
turn will influence the topics for discussion. A major port expansion proposal in the UK is used to illustrate a range of
ways in which the public can be involved. The case study also highlights that public participation is an uncertain science,
and to be successful can require skilled personnel and significant resources. The papper concludes that more guidance for
developers, some standardisation of public involvement, training for facilitatiors and a more responsible stance from some
environmental pressure groups would be advantageous. The complexity of coastal decision-making, tensions between science and
policy, and the inter-dependency of coastal activities mutually reinforce the view that inclusive participation is an important
issue for all coastal communities. |
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Keywords: | Coastal planning Consultation Integration Public involvement Stakenolder |
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