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The Policy Delphi and Public Involvement Programs
Author(s) -
Baumann Nancy,
Ervin Osbin,
Reynolds Gerald
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr018i004p00721
Subject(s) - delphi , delphi method , discretion , water resources , public involvement , environmental planning , political science , management science , public administration , component (thermodynamics) , comprehensive planning , public participation , public relations , business , engineering ethics , process management , engineering , computer science , law , environmental science , ecology , physics , thermodynamics , artificial intelligence , biology , operating system
Involvement of the public in water resources planning is generally required by federal law. However, the specific approach and techniques for involvement are left to the discretion of agencies participating in the particular project. This has resulted in considerable debate and experimentation aimed at discovery of effective public involvement techniques. This paper posits the Policy Delphi as one such technique, elaborates the major assumptions and rationale of the technique, and reports on an application of the approach in a water resources planning project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Policy Delphi proved to be a useful component of the public involvement program in this case, providing both planners and the wider public with informed opinion about water resources issues and alternatives. Methodological issues for consideration in future applications of the technique to water resources planning are discussed.