Water resources planning: A collaborative, consensus-building approach

Public involvement in water resources planning is traditionally limited. While decision makers may solicit public input, affected parties rarely have the opportunity to participate directly in the decision-making process. In recent years, this lack of meaningful public participation has been exacerbated by an increase in the number of individuals and groups interested in water management. In light of these limitations in and new demands on water resource planning, there has been a loud call for the development of new mechanisms to enhance public involvement and conflict management. The state of Montana has responded to this call by developing a state water plan through a collaborative, consensus-building process that directly involves the public in water policy decisions. In general, the process is based on the principles of environmental dispute resolution. After reviewing these principles, the design and implementation of Montana's state water plan is examined. The advantages and limitations of this collaborative, consensus-building process are outlined, along with the conditions necessary for successful implementation.