You are here:
Development of a Systematic Stakeholder Identification System for 3VS Modeling in the Snohomish Basin, Washington, USA
Citation:
Mulvaney, K., M. Tenbrink, K. Chu, AND B. Warren. Development of a Systematic Stakeholder Identification System for 3VS Modeling in the Snohomish Basin, Washington, USA. Presented at Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration, Washington, DC, November 01 - 05, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
We developed a mixed-methods approach to identify critical stakeholders for the EPA’s 3VS models in the Snohomish Basin. Although many stakeholders were identified in each of the three methods, no single method was sufficient for identifying the comprehensive list thereby indicating a need for mixed methods approaches to stakeholder identification.
Description:
In the Environmental Protection Agency’s Triple Value Simulation (3VS) models, social, economic and environmental indicators are utilized to understand the interrelated impacts of programs and regulations on ecosystems and human communities. Critical to identifying the appropriate indicators and understanding regional values and goals, is the engagement of stakeholders. These stakeholders include leaders in the Tribal, business, local government, conservation and restoration communities who create incentives and implement interventions; those who could be impacted by environmental, economic or regulatory changes; and those who may contribute local scientific, social, and economic knowledge and data. Many stakeholder engagement efforts use ad hoc and/or informal engagement methods. These methods can limit the ability of the process to be replicated and also may not be comprehensive enough to include all important stakeholders. For our work, we developed a three-pronged approach to the identification of critical stakeholders for the 3VS modeling work. First, we developed a list of stakeholder organizations and contacts within those organizations for 32 past related projects within the region. Simultaneously, we interviewed key stakeholders to outline a set of critical stakeholder typologies for engagement. Finally, these identified organizations and typologies were cross-compared and mapped onto the 3VS conceptual model to ensure the engagement of the appropriate stakeholders for each of the modeling components. Although many of the stakeholders were identified in all three methods, no single method was sufficient for identifying the comprehensive list of relevant stakeholders within the Snohomish Basin, indicating a need for mixed methods approaches to stakeholder identification.