Public Policy Education Demonstration Project for Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to Assess Community Understanding of Fire and Smoke Management
Project ID: J8W07070016
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Washington State University
Fiscal Year: 2007
Initial Funding: $39,820
Total Funding: $39,820
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Social
National Park: Pacific West Region California
Principal Investigator: Fiske, Emmett
Agreement Technical Representative: Schweizer, Deb
Abstract: This sociological study builds upon previous research conducted via Cooperative Agreement No. H8W07060001, Task Agreement No. J8W07060018. The Principal Investigator will interview up to thirty (30) individuals representing the following stakeholder groups: county and regional air quality regulators; county governments and agencies; chambers ofcommerce; tribal governments and councils; gateway communities and organizations; interested user groups; and representatives of local and regional media covering smoke issues in the Yosemite Region. The interviews are designed to assess the range of respondent concerns and issues regarding fire ecology and fire management, particularly with regard to smoke management in Yosemite National Park. Project information will ground truth the premises and messaging of the fire education program and provide direction for tailoring and redefining the methods used. It will also provide and an avenue of feedback and dialogue between fire management staff and stakeholders.
The Principal Investigator will also oversee archival (e.g., secondary data collection) research conducted by a graduate assistant in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park with the objective of summarizing key findings and recommendations from several historical “smoke impact” surveys conducted with gateway community residents in that region. Findings from each investigation will be incorporated in a final report to include a set of recommendations for public involvement in fire education processes.
Deliverables: