Date of Award

Spring 2007

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Resource Administration and Management

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

John Halstead

Abstract

Management plans for natural resources can be seen as multi-attribute goods that are held in the public domain and therefore require input from experts, stakeholders, and citizens. The state is coordinating an Instream flow study for the Lamprey River in the Seacoast of NH and this research adds a key component to the existing study. This thesis explains how the values and objectives of stakeholders and the general public were elicited. Fourteen stakeholders participated in an interview and survey process and 229 randomly selected residents of the Lamprey River Watershed completed surveys about they how use and value the river. Some of the possible conflicts in the Watershed were revealed through this process. Stakeholders value many aspects of the river including commerce and recreation and the public residents are most concerned with the ecological integrity and public water supply aspects of the river above all other attributes.

Share

COinS