Decision Support System for Stakeholder Involvement
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 130, Issue 6
Abstract
Stakeholder involvement is essential to the development of a total maximum daily load (TMDL) and its implementation plan. A tool, beyond a simulation model, is needed to support the decision making process that requires negotiation and compromise among stakeholders. The decision support system (DSS) described herein has a TMDL module to calculate various combinations of point and nonpoint loads that can meet the water quality criteria. Its Consensus module allows stakeholders to formulate, evaluate, modify, and vote for alternatives. The DSS displays bar charts for pollution loads from various subwatersheds and attributes the nonpoint loads to land uses. The water quality consequence of the pollution loads is output in maps, which shows sections meeting criteria in green and those not in red. The DSS requires a front end effort of site specific adaptation and model calibration. An Internet-based stakeholder process was developed to allow more concerned citizens to participate in management decisions.
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Copyright © 2004 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 15, 2003
Accepted: Oct 8, 2003
Published online: May 14, 2004
Published in print: Jun 2004
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