Ecological Planning Method - Design with the Desert: Conservation and Sustainable Development - page 245

certain use will be permitted. These criteria are usually a combination of economic, envi-
ronmental, and social factors. This technique lends itself to ecological planning because
criteria for specific land uses can be based on suitability analysis.
13.2.11 Step 11: Administration
In this final step, the plan is administered. Administration involves monitoring and evaluat-
ing how the plan is implemented on an ongoing basis. Amendments or adjustments to the
plan will no doubt be necessary because of changing conditions or new information. To
achieve the goals established for the process, planners should pay especial attention to the
design of regulation review procedures and of the management of the decision-making
process.
Administration may be accomplished by a commission comprising citizens with or
without the support of a professional staff. Citizens should play an important role in
administering local planning through commissions and review boards that oversee local
ordinances. To a large degree, the success of citizens' boards and commissions depends on
the extent of their involvement in the development of the plans that they manage. Again,
Oregon provides an excellent example of the use of citizens to administer a plan. The
Land Conservation and Development Commission, comprising seven members who are
appointed by the governor and supported by its professional staff, is responsible for over-
seeing the implementation of the state land-use planning law. Another group of citizens,
1000 Friends of Oregon, monitors the administration of the law. The support that the law
has from the public is evidenced in the defeat of several attempts to abolish mandatory
statewide land-use planning in Oregon. However, as Department of Land Conservation
and Development staff member Ron Eber observes, “It is a myth that planning is easy in
Oregon—it is a battle every day!”* For example, in the early 1990s, a counter force to 1000
Friends of Oregon was organized. “Oregons in Action” is a property rights group, which
is opposed to the progressive statewide planning program.
13.3 Working Plans
A method is necessary as an organizational framework for landscape planners. Also, a rela-
tively standard method presents the opportunity to compare and analyze case studies. To
adequately fulfill their responsibilities to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, actions
of planners should be based on a knowledge of what has and has not worked in other settings
and situations. A large body of case study results can provide an empirical foundation for
planners. A common method is helpful for both practicing planners and scholars who should
probe and criticize the nuances of such a method in order to expand and improve its utility.
The approach suggested here should be viewed as a working method. The pioneering
forester Gifford Pinchot advocated a conservation approach to the planning of the national
forests. His approach was both utilitarian and protectionist, and he believed “wise use
and preservation of all forest resources were compatible.” 49 To implement this philosophy,
Pinchot in his position as chief of the U.S. Forest Service required “working plans.” Such
plans recognized the dynamic, living nature of forests. In the same vein, the methods used
to develop plans should be viewed as a living process. However, this is not meant to imply
* Personal communication, 1999.