Pacific Southwest

Title: Social and environmental issues in developing vegetation and fire management plans

Author: Charles, Leonard

Date: 1995

Source: In: Weise, David R.; Martin, Robert E., technical coordinators. The Biswell symposium: fire issues and solutions in urban interface and wildland ecosystems; February 15-17, 1994; Walnut Creek, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-158. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 117-122

Station ID: GTR-PSW-158

Description: To reduce the risk of wildfire in the California urban interface often requires actions that will be viewed by members of the public as having adverse effects on such resources as wildlife, vegetation, views, air quality, and recreational opportunities. These citizens can substantially delay and even thwart development of fire management plans. In developing such a plan for an area in southern Marin County, California, public agency staff and its consultants encountered significant public opposition. The successful completion and adoption of the plan required an extensive public participation process. The rationale and format for the public participation process are described. As important as the format selected is the mindset of the staff and consultants involved in the process. The attitude of "care" on the part of staff and consultants is investigated and found to be a critical attribute in dealing with the public on controversial plans.

Keywords: 

View and Print this Publication (33 KB)

Publication Notes: 

• We recommend that you also print this page and attach it to the printout of the article, to retain the full citation information.
• This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
• You may send email to pubrequest@fs.f ed.us to request a hard copy of this publication. (Please specify exactly which publication you are requesting and your mailing address.)

 Get the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat reader or Acrobat Reader for Windows with Search and Accessibility

Citation

Charles, Leonard   1995.  Social and environmental issues in developing vegetation and fire management plans .   In: Weise, David R.; Martin, Robert E., technical coordinators. The Biswell symposium: fire issues and solutions in urban interface and wildland ecosystems; February 15-17, 1994; Walnut Creek, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-158. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 117-122 .