Abstract:
Three research questions are addressed in this study: (1) To what degree do residents
support/oppose various aspects of water resources protection? (2) What factors explain
residents' attitudes? and, (3) How do attitudes vary between participants and nonparticipants
of place-based groups (watershed councils and neighborhood
associations)? The population of interest is residential property owners and
participants of place-based groups in the Johnson Creek Watershed of the Portland
metropolitan region, Oregon. Data were collected via preliminary interviews and a
mail questionnaire, and both qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted.
Four unique aspects of attitudes toward water resource protection were evaluated -
general importance, support/opposition to government, regulations, and economic
measures, in addition to an overall index comprising these dimensions.
Substantial support exists for water resource protection with regard to water quality
protection, education and restoration, particular regulations, and funding mechanisms
that `make the polluter pay.' Opposition is strongest towards income/property taxes
and government efforts. Significant explanatory factors for attitudes are subjective
cognitive factors including environmental and political beliefs and affective
attachment to conceptual regions. Distance to water is not an important explanatory
variable, yet attitudes do differ among residents in varying proximities to water.
Analyses indicate that residents within one-quarter to one-half mile of streams are
most supportive of protection efforts, while people with water on or bordering their
property are most opposed to regulations and economic support diminishes at a
decreasing rate away from streams. Watershed council participants are more
supportive than non-participants on most attitudinal dimensions, and neighborhood
association participants are more supportive than non-participants economically,
which may be due to higher income and education levels among group participants.
Based on research findings, balanced programs emphasizing education, restoration,
and stewardship, along with specific, enforceable regulations and funding mechanisms
that `make the polluter pay' are recommended. Equity issues are critical, especially in
terms of impacts on residential-business land uses and upland-downstream residents.
Subjective understanding of resource issues and normative beliefs must also be
considered in developing environmental protection programs. Active solicitation
emphasizing the benefits of participation is suggested to increase involvement of
residents and place-based groups in water resource protection activities.
