Decision Making for Sustainable Use and Development - Coastal Lagoons: Ecosystem Processes and Modeling for Sustainable Use and Development - page 358

Certain considerations and assumptions must be made in order to shape a workable
model. A basic assumption for an ILSMP is that within it, each political entity will
implement land and water use changes uniquely, according to local needs. Another
assumption is that proactive planning is more effective than reactive land use policy
and regulations. Additionally, regional planning accounting for structure, function, and
process is effective in that it provides a framework for consistency on a broad scale.
Implementation is best accomplished at the local level because it can be cus-
tomized to unique local conditions. Another important assumption is that input from
stakeholders is preferable as early in the process as possible; this includes both
public and private interests and scientific expertise and advice. The definition of
stakeholder is a party that has a vested interest in the outcome of an issue. It is
critical to inventory and includes as many stakeholders as possible or, at a minimum,
a diversity of viewpoints and stakeholders.
Land and water use planning generally occurs at a minimum of three levels
within a watershed. The broadest form is represented by national or regional water-
shed scale planning and is accomplished through the structure of a Regional Advisory
Group. This entity establishes broad political commitment and accountability, con-
sistency, goals, and recommendations for the entire watershed. It encompasses
national, state, and local interests at the regional level. The second level is the state
or provincial level, where the political administrations of the individual states or
provinces establish their own regulations and policies for land use, using the regional
information as guidelines. The third level is the local level, representing localities
(counties and municipalities) that develop their own regulatory processes to imple-
ment regional and state/provincial guidelines and regulations. It is generally
acknowledged that unique actions resulting in land and water use changes are best
implemented through the positive engagement of the local entities.
A potential list of stakeholders and structural levels to include in integrated
lagoon sustainable management plan (includes both government (regulatory role)
and NGO (nonregulatory, profit, and nonprofit roles)) would be the following:
Local, regional, national and international levels
Planning boards and commissions
Environmental and wetland boards or commissions
Zoning and building agencies and organizations
Health and safety agencies and organizations
Agricultural and forestry agencies
Transportation agencies and organizations
Political and administrative branches
Natural resource conservation agencies and organizations
Soil and water, wildlife, and fisheries agencies and organizations
Agriculture, forest, fisheries cooperatives or associations
Agriculture, forest, fisheries private industries
Homeowner associations
Construction and builders associations and industries
Nature and environmental groups
Civic and religious organizations—youth and adult
Tourism agencies and organizations