Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Incorporating Science Into The Environmental Policy Process: A Case Study From Washington State, Tessa B. Francis, Kara A. Whittaker, Vivek Shandas, April V. Mills, Jessica K. Graybill

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

The incorporation of science into environmental policy is a key concern at many levels of decision making. Various institutions have sought to standardize the protection of natural resources by requiring that decisions be made based on the "best available science." Here we present empirical data describing the incorporation of best available science in the land-use policy process on a local scale. Results are based on interviews with planners and others who conducted scientific reviews associated with a Washington State Growth Management Act amendment that requires the inclusion of best available science in protecting critical areas. Our results show that jurisdictions …