Abstract
A key to sustainable resource planning is effective implementation
of management plans. Despite its obvious significance, planning
implementation remains a relatively neglected area of planning research.
This paper helps address this gap by reporting results of a case study
evaluation of implementation in an innovative collaborative land use
planning process in British Columbia, Canada. The paper begins with a
brief review of planning process and implementation theory. This is
followed by a case study evaluation of plan implementation and
identification of factors conditioning implementation success. The paper
concludes by assessing implications of the case study evaluation for
designing successful plan implementation strategies.
L'une des cles de la planification durable des ressources est
la mise en oeuvre efficace de plans de gestion. Malgre son importance
evidente, celle-ci demeure une zone negligee dans le domaine de la
recherche en planification. Les auteurs de cet article traitent de cette
lacune en faisant etat des resultats d'une analyse d'etude de
cas portant sur la mise en oeuvre d'un processus novateur de
planification concertee en matiere d'utilisation des terres en
Colombie-Britannique au Canada. L'article s'ouvre sur un bref
examen du processus de planification et de la theorie de mise en oeuvre.
On y effectue ensuite une analyse d'etude de cas sur la mise en
oeuvre d'un plan et on definit les facteurs determinant le succes
de celle-ci. En conclusion, on evalue les repercussions de
l'analyse de l'etude de cas afin de concevoir des strategies
de mise en oeuvre de plans qui porteront fruit.
Key words:
Plan implementation, plan evaluation, collaborative planning,
environmental monitoring, land use planning
Introduction
A key to sustainable resource planning is effective implementation
of management plans. Despite its obvious significance, planning
implementation remains a relatively neglected area of planning research
(Talen 1996; Margerum 1999). The purpose of this paper is to help
address this gap in the literature by reporting results of a case study
evaluation of a regional land and resource management plan in British
Columbia, Canada.
The paper begins with a brief review of planning process and
implementation theory. This is followed by a case study evaluation of
plan implementation and identification of factors determining
implementation success. The paper concludes by assessing implications of
the case study evaluation for designing successful plan implementation
strategies.
Plan Implementation
Planning is normally defined as a process of decision making moving
through the following stages: setting goals and objectives, identifying
options, evaluating and choosing an option, implementing the plan,
monitoring results, and revising the plan as required. The paramount
importance of the implementation stage of the planning process was
clearly demonstrated in the landmark study by Pressman and Wildavsky
(1973) of employment programs in the United States, which documented a
large disparity between plan objectives and implementation outcomes.
Pressman and Wildavsky (1973) argued that one key contributor to
implementation failure is that policy makers do not understand the
difficulty of coordinating the large number of activities, competing
interests, and diverse agencies involved in implementation. All increase
the complexity of the planning environment and therefore the likelihood
of implementation failure. A second contributor to implementation
failure identified by Pressman and Wildavsky (1973) is that plans may be
based on flawed causal assumptions between policies and desired
outcomes.
The documentation of the disparity between plans and implementation
by Pressman and Wildavsky stimulated additional research on
implementation. Sabatier and Mazmanian (1983) made an important
contribution to the evolution of implementation theory in their review
of the California Coastal Commission efforts to manage coastal zone land
use. Contrary to the Pressman and Wildavsky (1973) study, Sabatier and
Mazmanian (1983) concluded that the California Coastal Commission was
relatively successful in implementing its objectives. They then
identified criteria that explained this successful outcome and tested
the criteria on a number of other case studies of policy implementation
(Mazmanian and Sabatier 1989). They summarized their findings by
identifying six key criteria determining implementation success: clear
and consistent objectives; causal linkages between objectives and
actions; designation of a sympathetic agency with adequate resources and
authority to implement the plan; skilled and committed implementation
managers; public and stakeholder support; and, a supportive
socioeconomic and policy environment (Mazmanian and Sabatier 1989:
268-9). Following the Mazmanian and Sabatier analysis, other researchers
tested and elaborated on the criteria for successful implementation
(Goggin et al. 1990; Vedung 1997).
One key criterion for successful implementation identified in all
these studies is strong stakeholder and implementing agency support. The
obvious question is how can this support be generated. The answer is
provided by the recent development of collaborative planning (CP). The
essence of CP is that it delegates the authority to develop plans to
stakeholders who engage in face-to-face negotiations to reach a planning
agreement by consensus (Selin and Chavez 1995; Innes 1996; Harter 1997;
Carr et al. 1998; Wondolleck and Yaffee 2000; Susskind et al. 2000;
Duffy et al. 1996; Williams et al. 1998). Advocates argue that CP is
more likely to result in successful plan implementation because
stakeholders are more likely to support and comply with a plan they
helped develop.
Planning implementation theory has clearly evolved since the
initial study by Pressman and Wildavsky (1973). Criteria necessary for
successful implementation have been identified and planning models such
as CP have emerged as means of helping garner support for
implementation. Nonetheless, observers note the continued failure to
achieve successful implementation (Weale 1992), and the need for more
implementation research, especially on the role of CP in achieving
implementation success (Margerum 1999). The purpose of this study is to
help address this research need by a case study evaluation of the
implementation of a CP process.
Case Study Overview
The case study is based on the Kamloops land and resource
management plan (KLRMP) (Figure 1). The KLRMP is part of an innovative
provincial planning strategy developed in British Columbia in the early
1990s to resolve conflicts between environmentalists and resource
developers. The planning process, termed shared decision making (SDM) by
the provincial government, is described in detail by Day et al. (2003).
The process is based on a collaborative planning model that delegates
responsibility for preparing a plan to stakeholders, who engage in
face-to-face negotiations to reach consensus agreement on a plan which
is then submitted to the provincial Cabinet for approval. The advocates
of this new collaborative approach to planning argue that there are
numerous advantages relative to more traditional planning models (Gunton
and Day 2003; Owen 1998). These advantages include increased likelihood
of reaching a planning agreement that is in the public interest,
increased likelihood of successfully implementing the plan, and
generation of social capital benefits such as improved skills,
knowledge, and relationships among stakeholders. To date, nineteen
regional land use plans have been completed under this process covering
73% of the provincial land base. Eight plans, covering most of the
remainder of the land base, are still in progress.
The KLRMP, which covers 2.3-million hectares of Crown land, was the
first plan completed under this new collaborative planning model. The
planning process was initiated in late 1989 and the provincial
government approved the final plan in July 1995. The KLRMP, therefore,
provides an excellent case study because sufficient time has lapsed
since the completion of the plan to assess implementation progress.
Also, the innovative process used to develop the KLRMP provides an
opportunity to test the merits of CP and its impact on implementation
success.
During the first stage of the KLRMP process from 1990 to 1992, an
interagency planning team (IPT) assembled information and resource maps,
and identified key issues that needed to be addressed during the
planning process. Starting in the fall of 1992, the IPT approached local
stakeholder groups who might have had an interest in participating in
the planning process. Ultimately, the KLRM Planning Table consisted of
about 45 representatives from provincial and federal government agencies
and from stakeholder groups with interests in local commerce,
agriculture, fisheries, labor, forestry, mining, environmental
conservation, recreation, and tourism. Members of the planning table
were chosen on a sectoral basis to ensure representation of all relevant
interests. The table had a full-time facilitator and chair to help
manage the process and a professional staff reporting to the table to
provide information and analysis to support table activities.
The first task of the KLRM Planning Table was to identify key
issues and information requirements. The table then developed land use
scenarios and evaluated them using multiple accounts analysis to compare
outcomes related to planning objectives. After extensive negotiations
over more than three years, the KLRM Planning Table reached a consensus
minus one agreement on a proposed land use plan on 7 February 1995. The
proposed plan was submitted to the provincial government and approved in
July of that year.
[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]
The principal component of the KLRMP is zoning of land to
alternative uses. The plan contains three key zones: protected areas;
special management zones, which provide a higher level of environmental
controls over resource extraction to protect important environmental
assets; and, general resource extraction zones. Special management zones
are further divided into three subzones to reflect the nature of
environmental resources requiring special consideration. These subzones
are community watersheds, wildlife habitat, and recreation/tourism
areas. The plan increased protected areas from 18.7 to 22.6 percent of
the regional land base, established 18.9 percent of the land as special
management zones, and reduced areas available for enhanced resource
extraction from 80.6 to 57.8 percent (Pierce Lefebvre Consulting 2001).
In addition to the land use changes, the plan included over 300
strategies to achieve 150 objectives.
Kamloops LRMP Implementation and Monitoring
Implementation of the KLRM Plan is overseen by a Crown
corporation--Land and Water B.C. Inc.--and five provincial agencies: the
Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management; the Ministry of Forestry;
the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries; the Ministry of Energy
and Mines; and, the Ministry of Water, Lands, and Air Protection. A
monitoring report on implementation progress is prepared every five
years although implementation is an ongoing process. Overall,
coordination of implementation activities and evaluation of progress is
the responsibility of the Kamloops Interagency Management Committee
(KIAMC). The committee consists of regional managers or directors of
resource management agencies that have responsibility within the
Kamloops Region LRMP and representatives from the Fraser Basin Council
and the Forest Practices Board (Kamloops LRMP Monitoring Table 1998).
KIAMC interprets plan objectives and strategies, assists with plan
implementation and resolution of issues, reviews recommendations for
amendments, develops a system for long-term monitoring of land use plan
implementation, and monitors implementation progress and compliance by
agencies and resource users (BC 1999b).
The IAMC work is complemented by the Kamloops LRMP Monitoring Table
(KMT). It is a multistakeholder group with about 49 active members that
includes many of the original KLRM Planning Table representatives. The
table provides recommendations on annual agency work plans and progress
reports, and reviews results of the implementation and effectiveness
assessments--part of a mandated five-year monitoring report. Advice
provided by KMT includes: interpretation of land use plan objectives and
strategies and clarification of original intent, suggestions on the
implementation and effectiveness of monitoring processes, and
recommendations on the results of the implementation and effectiveness
assessments. The table does not oversee implementation and its role is
advisory. And while "a consensus recommendation from [the] table
(KMT) carries significant weight, ... there are no guarantees of Cabinet
approval. The final decision makers on all land use issues are
Cabinet" (Kamloops LRMP Monitoring Table 1998).
Principal mechanisms for plan implementation are designation of the
protected areas under the Parks Act to prohibit any activity such as
resource extraction inconsistent with protected status and the Forest
Practices Code, which specifies regulations on resource extraction to
meet plan objectives. In January 1996, the KLRMP was legally designated
as a higher-level plan under the Forest Practices Code. This means that
all government agency operational policies that pertain to forest
resources and rangelands must be consistent with the strategies and
objectives specified in the KLRMP.
Evaluating Implementation
Evaluation of implementation of the KLRMP involved three
components:
* an objective assessment of progress in implementing KLRMP
recommendations;
* an objective assessment of progress in achieving KLRMP objectives
(plan effectiveness); and,
* a subjective assessment based on key actors' perceptions of
implementation success.
Progress in implementing KLRMP recommendations was assessed in the
five-year monitoring report by the KIAMC (B.C. 1999a, B.C. 2001). The
monitoring report tracked all KLRMP planning strategies to determine
implementation success. Implementation success was measured on a
five-point scale that includes not started (NS), initiated (I), midway
(M), substantially complete (SC), and complete (C). The 2000
implementation assessment shows that all eleven LRMP projects had been
initiated, eight were midway complete; and three projects were
substantially complete (Table 1).
The monitoring report also assessed the effectiveness of
implementation in meeting the plan's objectives. To simplify
effectiveness assessment, the 150 objectives and over 300 strategies in
the KLRMP were condensed into a list of thirty desired outcomes, twenty
for human activities and ten for the environment (BC 1995: 24 and 49).
Desired outcomes attempt to capture the intent of KLRMP objectives. The
effectiveness assessment determined whether the LRMP goals and
objectives have been achieved by measuring progress against a set of
indicators identified for each desired outcome. The monitoring report
showed that, by the end of 1999, twenty-five of the desired outcomes
were met, two were partially met, and three were not met (Appendix 1).
The three outcomes that had not been met were: (1) healthy grassland
ecosystems with representation of grassland-dependent species, (2) a
diversity and abundance of native fish populations and habitats, and (3)
clean drinking water and a stable community water supply (BC 1999a: iv).
Implementation progress was also assessed by surveying the members
of the monitoring table. Responses were received from a representative
sample of 24 of the 49 table members (Figure 2). All 32 table members
were contacted as well as 17 active alternates and active consultative
members identified by the table coordinator. In total, 24 people
responded to the questionnaire. First Nations did not choose to take
part in the monitoring table. There was no significant
government-nongovernment split in the survey responses. The
"multiple nongovernmental: conservation, recreation, resource,
tourism" sector refers to 4 interviewees who represented more than
one interest group at the table.
Respondents used a five-point scale ranging from unsuccessful to
very successful to answer four questions on implementation progress. The
different possible responses along this scale were assigned scores from
1 to 5 (i.e. unsuccessful received a score of 1, not very successful a
score of 2, etc). These totals were summed and then divided by the total
number of respondents to arrive at a mean score for each question. The
mean responses show that stakeholders viewed implementation as
successful in reaching the KLRMP goals, in reaching the goals of the
individual respondents' sectors, and in reaching the
respondents' personal expectations (Figure 3). Respondents
considered implementation only somewhat successful in meeting the
timelines in the implementation work plans, suggesting that either
implementation was lagging or the timelines were too ambitious.
[FIGURE 2 OMITTED]
In sum, implementation of the KLRMP has been successful in terms of
implementing the recommendations, meeting plan objectives, and meeting
expectations of stakeholders. The following section identifies the
factors that account for this success.
Factors Determining Successful Implementation
Identifying factors affecting plan implementation success was done
in several steps. First, a list of factors affecting implementation
success was prepared based on a review of the policy and planning
implementation literature, including Goggin et al. (1990), Gray (1989),
Innes and Booher (1999), Mazmanian and Sabatier (1989), Margerum (1999),
Pressman and Wildavsky (1973), Vedung (1997), Yaffee and Wondolleck
(2000), and Susskind and Cruikshank (1987). Next, the importance of
these criteria in the KLRMP was tested by asking the KMT members to rank
each criterion on a five-point scale ranging from not important at all
to very important. Respondents were also asked to add additional
criteria they considered important for implementation success that had
not been identified by the authors. As in the questions testing
respondents' views of the overall success of the KLRMP, each point
along the five-point scale received a score between 1 and 5 (i.e. not
important at all received a score of 1, not very important, a score of
2, etc.). The criteria were then ranked according to their mean scores.
The survey was sent to the 49 active members of the KMT and responses
were received from a representative sample of 24 members (Figure 3).
[FIGURE 3 OMITTED]
The results of the KMT survey show that two criteria were ranked as
very important: providing clear objectives to guide implementing
agencies (mean 4.67), and strong commitment of implementing officials
(mean 4.58) (Table 2). One criterion was ranked as only somewhat
important: favorable socioeconomic conditions for land use plan
implementation (mean 3.0). Three criteria were ranked as not very
important: small target group as a percentage of the total population
affected by the land use plan (mean 1.63), minimal behavioral changes
required to comply with the land use plan (mean 2.21), and small
differences in values among stakeholders (mean 1.83). All other
variables were ranked as important (means 3.5 to 4.5). The KMT rankings,
therefore, are generally consistent with the implementation literature
with the following exceptions. Table members did not think that value
differences, size of the target group affected by implementation, and
magnitude of behavioural changes, were important conditions for
successful implementation.
The KMT was also asked to assess the degree to which these criteria
were met in the KLRMP on a five-point scale ranging from strongly agree
to strongly disagree. The results of this assessment help test the
relative importance of the criteria by identifying which of them are
correlated with a successful implementation process. The survey results
show that the respondents considered sixteen criteria as met (means
greater than 3.5) and nine criteria as only partially met (means between
2.5 and 3.5). No criterion that was considered important for
implementation success was considered as not met in the KLRMP
implementation process (Table 2). The two criteria not met in the case
of the KLRMP--having only a small target population affected by the land
use plan, and small differences in values among stakeholders--were
ranked as unimportant for implementation success by the survey
respondents.
Formal rankings in the KMT survey were complemented with responses
to open-ended questions. According to two table members (9%), one
important factor in ensuring implementation success, in the case of the
KLRMP, was the long history of cooperation between local government
agencies and different sectors in the region. Local government agencies
and the resource and environmental sectors worked together for many
years prior to the KLRMP to develop and implement local resource use
plans. Many of the same players involved in implementing these plans
also participated in the Kamloops land and resource management planning
process and later on the monitoring table. They brought with them a
spirit of trust and willingness to cooperate that helped overcome some
of the initial challenges of getting a diverse group of people to work
together. A further three respondents (13%) mentioned the importance of
developing trust between stakeholders. Four others (17%) pointed to the
strong commitment of local implementing agencies as a key factor in
furthering implementation. These open-ended responses in the survey are
also represented by criteria in Table 2 that were ranked as important or
very important.
In their answers, the table members also identified a number of
challenges and issues in plan implementation with the following
frequencies of occurrence:
* Clarification of intent of objectives (9%): The KLRM Plan does
not include statements of intent. Implementation depends, therefore, on
interpretation of objectives, which can create disputes over intent that
can undermine implementation. The KMT emphasized that developing
statements of intent for ambiguous objectives aids implementation by
helping to ensure that all parties have the same understanding of what
objectives mean.
* Continuity of membership (9%): Related to the challenge of
understanding intent is ensuring continuity of membership at the
monitoring table. Maintaining continuity in membership allows for
relationships to grow and ensures continuation of the cooperative
culture of the monitoring table that develops over time.
* Orientation and training for new table members (9%): The KMT
expressed concern that if new members are added, they must be oriented
to the overall planning process. Orientation should include a history of
the planning process, principles, values, ground rules, and
decision-making processes.
* Confirmation and consistency of government commitments (21%): The
monitoring table responses indicate that the linking of planning
strategies and objectives, and integration of commitments into agency
work plans, remain ongoing challenges. A number of KMT respondents are
uncertain with respect to the current provincial government's
commitment to KLRMP implementation. Clearly, government policy on this
issue needs to be clarified to avoid uncertainty, and potentially, loss
of commitment by stakeholders to plan implementation. Related to this
challenge is consistency and continuity of government policy and
direction. Governments need to honor the agreements reached by the KLRMP
Table. This includes continuing to provide funding for implementation of
key components of the plan. In the case of the KLRMP, the provincial
government has cut funding for several programs that were part of the
agreement package. Cutting essential program components can have a
detrimental impact on the commitment of the affected sector, or other
parties interested in implementation of the land use plan agreement.
* Ongoing information sharing between participants (9%):
Respondents emphasized that with so many different agencies involved in
implementation, cooperation and information sharing between agencies are
very important. Regular meetings of the KMT, the KIAMC, and other
working groups ensure cooperation and information exchange continue.
* Improvements to the monitoring framework and timetable (13%):
Respondents generally agreed that the monitoring framework has
appropriate indicators for monitoring each objective. But there is room
for improvement. Several respondents observed that linkages between
desired outcomes and agency program objectives need to be strengthened.
The monitoring table expressed some dissatisfaction with failure to meet
time lines in implementing the KLRMP. Given resource constraints,
implementation strategies need to be prioritized and a realistic
schedule drawn up.
Implications of Findings for Plan Implementation
Effective implementation is an infrequent event in resource
planning (Margerum 1999; Talen 1996). Therefore, the implementation of
the KLRMP provides a rare opportunity to evaluate a successful
implementation process. Assessments in Table 2 show that twenty-three
implementation criteria were ranked as important to very important by
stakeholders in achieving this success. This finding illustrates that
implementation of a land use plan is a complex undertaking that requires
attention to a broad range of issues to achieve implementation success.
These range from developing useful indicators and dealing with
scientific uncertainty to building respect and trust between individuals
from widely divergent backgrounds. The twenty-three criteria in Table 2,
therefore, provide a good checklist for assessing planning
implementation strategies. Responses in the open-ended sections of the
survey also highlighted aspects of these twenty-three criteria that
needed special attention in the implementation process. These include:
clarification of intent of objectives, continuity of membership,
orientation and training for new table members, confirmation and
consistency of government commitments, ongoing information sharing
between participants, and improvements to the monitoring framework and
timetable
Table 2 also illustrates that three criteria--small value
differences, small behavioral change, and small target population--were
not ranked as important by the stakeholders in the case study. However,
they are normally considered necessary conditions for successful
implementation. The fact that the KLRM Plan was successfully implemented
without meeting these three criteria provides evidence that they are not
always necessary for successful implementation. This finding on the
relative insignificance of these three criteria is contrary to the
implementation literature.
The ability to achieve successful implementation without meeting
these three criteria may be due to another key aspect of the KLRMP
process--collaboration in both development and implementation of the
plan. The strong link between collaboration and successful
implementation strongly supports the arguments on the benefits of CP.
The Kamloops Monitoring Table survey provides further documentation of
the key role played by CP, with 80% of respondents agreeing that CP was
important to very important in achieving implementation success.
Study Limitations
This study attempts to mitigate problems in previous implementation
studies by using three measures of implementation success. These
include: objective assessment of progress in implementing
recommendations, objective assessment of progress in achievement of
planning objectives, and subjective assessments of key
stakeholders' perceptions of implementation success. Nonetheless,
the study has limitations. First, the results are from only one case
study. Second, First Nations chose not to participate in the Kamloops
LRMP process nor did they participate on the Kamloops Monitoring Table.
Third, defining implementation success relies on subjective
interpretation of objective monitoring data by government staff who
prepared the monitoring reports, and perceptions of stakeholders. This
allows for the introduction of bias. Therefore, further research on plan
implementation that is based on a meta-analysis of a large set of case
studies founded on objective as well as subjective data related to
implementation success would be helpful.
Conclusion
Evaluation of plan implementation is a relatively neglected field
in planning research. This paper has helped address this deficiency by
reporting results from a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation
of a unique plan. This study is unique in that it relies on both
objective data on implementation and survey data from stakeholders. The
results show that the plan was successfully implemented. The survey of
actors engaged in implementation of this plan supports the findings in
the implementation literature that there are a large number of criteria
that must be met to achieve successful implementation. Underpinning all
the other factors critical to implementation is the use of a
collaborative planning process to develop the plan and to monitor the
plan's implementation. Other studies have documented the benefits
of CP in increasing the probability of developing a plan in the public
interest and in stimulating additional social capital benefits related
to improved stakeholder knowledge, skills, and relationships. This study
documents further benefits of CP in achieving successful plan
implementation. Implementation is a complex undertaking requiring
attention to many variables. Although more research on implementation is
required to produce definitive results, this study suggests that one key
aspect of a successful implementation strategy is collaborative
planning.
Appendix 1: Effectiveness Assessment of KLRMP in Meeting Plan
Objectives
Environment
Desired Outcomes Indicators Assessment
1. Ecosystems
Healthy ecosystems * Biogeoclimatic zone [square root of]
with a diversity representation in protected (may take several
and abundance of areas years to achieve
native species and results)
habitats * Old forest management targets
by biogeoclimatic zone
* Animal species at risk
* Plants and plant communities
at risk
2. Soils
Productive soils * Achievement of [square root of]
with minimal soil site-disturbance limits for
disturbance timber harvesting
* Construction of new forest
roads
* Landslides
3. Forests
Healthy forest * Age class distribution [square root of]
ecosystems with (note epidemic
representation of * Incidence of insect infestation of
natural attributes infestation pine bark beetle)
and forest
dependent species * Fire disturbance
Sustainable and * Forest dependent species at
productive forests risk
with a natural
mosaic of age
classes
4. Grasslands
Healthy grassland * Area of grasslands and other X (decrease in
ecosystems with openings grassland areas,
representation of increase in
grassland * Noxious weed infestation noxious weeds)
dependent species
* Grassland associated species
at risk
* Range and grassland condition
5. Riparian
Properly * Forest Practices Code [square root of]
functioning compliance related to
riparian systems riparian areas
* Audits indicating riparian
concerns
6. Water
Healthy watersheds * Roads deactivated for water [square root of]
and stream-flow management control (note concerns
regimes relating to water
* Turbidity; water flows allocation in
drier areas)
* Watershed assessments
* Fully allocated streams
* Ground water quality and
quantity
7. Wildlife
A diversity and * Wildlife populations / (Note species
abundance of wild with population
fish populations and habitat
and habitats concerns)
8. Fish
A diversity and * Resident fish species and X (decrease in
abundance of wild stocks at risk salmon and
fish populations steelhead
and habitats * Anadromous fish species populations)
(salmon and steelhead)
escapement
* Streams and lakes with water
flow or quality concerns
9. Protected Areas
Protection of * Significant environmental [square root of]
representative occurrences in protected area
examples of B.C.'s
natural diversity;
recreational
opportunities;
cultural,
heritage, and
special features
10. Visually Sensitive Areas
Landscapes managed * Achievement of visual quality [square root of]
in accordance with objectives
visual quality
objectives
Socioeconomic
Desired Outcomes Indicators Assessment
11. Agriculture
A prosperous * Agricultural Land Reserve [square root of]
mining industry
with access to * Grazing tenures
Crown resources,
especially land, * Grazing tenures that overlap
water, and range protected areas
land to support
development * Irrigation water licenses
Sustainable and * Range land, Farms
productive
agricultural and * Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
range lands
* Employment
12. Minerals
A prosperous * Investment / (Access to Crown
mining industry land met;
with access to * GDP and annual metal prices prosperous mining
Crown land for industry not)
exploration and * Employment
development
13. Timber
A prosperous * Timber harvesting land base [square root of]
forest industry
with a sustainable * Timber supply, harvest volume
supply of timber
* Backlog of Nonsufficiently
Restocked (NSR) land
* Provincial government revenue
* GDP and annual lumber prices
* Employment
14. Tourism
A prosperous * Room revenue [square root of]
tourism industry
offering high * Visitor volume
quality, natural
tourism * Commercial recreation tenures
experiences
* Resource-based tourism
A diverse range of operations
tourism
opportunities and * GDP
uses across the
landscape * Employment
15. Recreation
A diverse range of * Recreation resources [square root of]
recreation
opportunities and * Recreation amenities
uses across
landscapes * Recreation use
Preservation and
management of high
quality recreation
resources
16. Communities
Social and * Population [square root of],
economic stability X Five outcomes
* Education level generally being
Healthy and met, one not
prosperous * Crime rate (clean drinking
communities water and a stable
* Labor force and employment community water
Stable or supply)
increasing * Employment income
employment
* Economic diversity
Access to Crown
land for community * Business start-ups and
and industrial failures
development
* Portion of land base in
Clean, safe settlement use
drinking water and
stable community * Domestic water supply
water supply
* Flooding occurrences
Minimal risks to
lives and property
from flooding and
erosion
17. Cultural Heritage
Protection of * Archeological sites [square root of]
important
archeological * Traditional use studies
sites
* Designated historic trails
Completion of
First Nations
traditional use
studies
Designation and
management of
historic trails
18. Public Involvement
Meaningful public * Public involvement in resource [square root of]
involvement in use planning processes
local level
planning
Educated and
informed public
with respect to
LRMP goals and
outcomes
Legend: [square root of] desired outcome is generally being met
/ desired outcome is partially being met
X desired outcome is not being met
Table 1 Implementation Status of Kamloops LRMP Projects
Kamloops LRMP Project Implementation Status
NS I M SC C
A. Watershed Management (WLAP)
B. Fisheries Management (MAFF)
C. Ecosystem Management Strategies
(MSRM)
D. Commercial Recreation Plans (B.C.LW
Inc)
E. Protected Area Management Plans
(WLAP)
F. Grazing Enhancement Fund (MAF)
G. Mineral Strategies (MEM)
H. Watershed Management (MoF)
I. Biodiversity Emphasis Analysis (MoF)
J. Landscape Unit Plans (MoF)
K. Strategies for Grazing in Protected
Areas (WLAP)
Acronyms:
B.C. LW Inc.: B.C. Land and Water Inc.
MAFF: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
MEM: Ministry of Energy and Mines
MoF: Ministry of Forests
MSRM: Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management
WLAP: Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
NS: not started
I: initiated
M: midway
SC: substantially complete
C: complete
Source: B.C. (2001)
Figure 2: Kamloops Monitoring Table Survey Respondents by Sector
Resource sector 13%
Tourism, recreation, conservation 17%
Multiple nongovernmental: conservation, 17%
recreation, resource, tourism
Government environmental 21%
Government resource 32%
Note: Table made from pie chart.
Table 2 Kamloops Monitoring Table Responses on Plan Implementation
Criteria
Criteria for successful land use plan criterion criterion
implementation significance achievement
in KLRMP
1. clear and consistent objectives very important met
2. strong commitment of implementing very important met
officials
3. monitoring framework with appropriate important met
indicators to track change in each
objective
4. strong provincial government support important partly met
5. sufficient information available to important met
make appropriate decisions for land
use plan implementation
6. high level of cooperation and important met
information sharing between
implementing agencies
7. strong stakeholder support important met
8. good collaborative planning process important met
9. implementing officials skilled in important met
working collaboratively with
stakeholders
10. clear delineation of agency important met
responsibilities
11. land use plan objectives well important partly met
integrated within individual agency
work plans
12. strong local government agencies important met
support
13. implementation monitoring committee important met
with public reporting requirements
14. adequate natural science data important partly met
available to make implementation
decisions
15. adequate financial and staff resource important partly met
commitments for plan implementation
16. participation of stakeholders in important met
monitoring
17. participation of stakeholders in land important met
use plan development through a
collaborative planning process
18. power differences between important met
stakeholders equalized through the
process
19. participation of implementing important met
officials in plan preparation
20. clear understanding of causal important partly met
relationship between implementation
strategies and desired outcomes
21. no conflicting government policies important partly met
22. socioeconomic data available important partly met
23. strong public support important partly met
24. favorable socioeconomic conditions in somewhat met
the land use plan area important
25. small target group as a percentage of not v. important not met *
the total population
26. extent of behavioral change required not v. important partly met
is small
27. small difference in values among not v. important not met *
stakeholders
* These two questions were not specifically asked in the survey because
information about them was available. The target group is large since a
large number of resource sectors are impacted by the KLRM Plan. In
addition, research by Frame et al. (2004) indicates that there are
significant value differences among stakeholders in land use planning.
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Author Biographies
Karin Albert holds an undergraduate degree in international
relations and French, and a master's degree in political science
from the University of British Columbia. She is currently completing her
master's in resource and environmental management at Simon Fraser
University. Karin works as community development coordinator for Greater
Vancouver Regional District Parks. She can be contacted at
kalbert@sfu.ca.
Thomas Gunton is an associate professor and former director of the
School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM) at Simon Fraser
University, Burnaby, BC. He held numerous senior positions in government
including Deputy Minister of Environment and Deputy Minister of Cabinet
Policy for the government of British Columbia. His research is in
environmental mediation and dispute resolution and natural resource
planning. He can be reached through the School or by email at
tgunton@shaw.ca.
Chad Day is the founding director and adjunct professor of the
School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM) at Simon Fraser
University, Burnaby, BC. His research focuses on institutions for
integrated land and water management and environmental planning. He can
be reached through the School or by email at jday@sfu.ca.
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