Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Agricultural and Resource Economics

Committee Chair

Alan R. Collins

Committee Member

Jerald J. Fletcher

Committee Member

Susan Hunter

Committee Member

Steven Selin

Abstract

Recently, federal and state government agencies have advocated a watershed approach to deal with water pollution issues. This approach addresses water quality and use on a watershed level and advocates public participation in watershed protection issues. In many communities, watershed associations have formed as an avenue for public involvement in a watershed approach. This thesis examines factors impacting watershed association effectiveness in reaching their intermediate goals (activities conducted and financial resources obtained for watershed protection) to achieve their final outcomes. Factors effecting the formation of watershed associations are also examined. Both analyses are conducted at the watershed level using the eight digit HUC code watersheds designated by the USGS. Results show the number of watershed associations significantly impacts activities conducted and financial resources obtained in a watershed. Watershed associations were found to form in smaller, less densely populated areas with less educated populations and greater levels of outdoor recreation interest.

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