The Principles and Processes of Public Involvement: A State-of-the-Art Synthesis for Agencies Venturing Into Ecosystem Management

Too! @ we are faced with the c alIenge of both developing a working definition of sustuinabiIity and impIementing this philosophy into our communities. The ability to maintain a healthy environment and econow, integrate scientific and technicaI k&edge, and pursue a participatory democracy lies at the heart of achieving a sustainable ecosystem. This paper outlines critical elements that should be incIuded in public invohrement programs,as agencies implement ecosystem management. Imperative to any program is anundemtanding of the human values, motivations, and paradigms of. the citizenry as weII as an understanding of the djmamics of relationships and the structures surrounding government and public interaction. Furthermore, successful integrationof the public into the decision-making environment requires buiIding and maintaining trust and cooperation between government agencies, private interests and the public. This is best accomplished by reaming and implementing the bmic principles of pubIic invohtement which serve ma usejid guide to foster citizen participation. Finally, consideration is given to the d#erent geographic scales of decisions federaI agencies must consider, includin