River Restoration: Institutions, Boundaries, and Social Ecological Dynamics

This human dimensions research, consisting of three manuscripts, explores the social and ecological dimensions of river restoration through an examination of the restoration trajectories of the Androscoggin, an impaired system, and the Kennebec, a restored system. Manuscript one examines the influence of biophysical and community attributes and institutional rules on policy stakeholders goals and actions within the two watersheds. For manuscripts one and two, we conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants, assembled documents pertaining to restoration actions, and conducted participant observation at stakeholder meetings. We qualitatively analyzed transcripts and documents. Results suggest that policy stakeholders’ understandings of biophysical and community attributes influence watershed goals. Collaborations leverage institutional rules in use differently as a function of restoration state to achieve goals. Within impaired systems, collaborations invest in shifting public perception to build support for longer term restoration actions. Manuscript two examines factors contributing to emergence of boundary management processes associated with addressing river restoration challenges. Our second objective was an examination of the influence of restoration state on four functions of boundary organizations: convening, collaborating, translating, and mediating. Results indicate that the underlying restoration state influences the nature of collaborations at an individual and organization level differently. At an individual level within the impaired watershed, stakeholders valued the role of researchers in lending neutrality. At an institutional level, boundary organizations occupied varying roles, shifting public perception at one end of the restoration spectrum and leveraging restoration gains into community benefits at the other end. Certain functions transcend the state of restoration such as the role of student learning in fostering collaborations. Manuscript three examines the social dimensions of river restoration. Using spatial analysis, we examine spatial-temporal patterns of water classification shifts, and interaction with the creation of amenity infrastructure and landscape patterns along the river corridors. Despite historical differences in patterns of water classification levels, these two systems were comparable in the level amenity infrastructure and in many landscape metrics. The pace of amenity development differed over time and along the rivers, raising questions about the larger role of amenity investment in increasing community awareness of river systems

Municipal Capacity to Respond to COVID-19: Implications for Improving Community Resilience in Maine

The authors of this article explore how 50 Maine municipalities communicated their response to COVID-19 in the earliest stages of the pandemic. The study answers two questions: (1) What information and resources did Maine municipalities communicate about COVID-19? and (2) What characterizes a more robust communication response? Analyzing digital communications from March through July 2020, the authors found almost all municipalities in our sample communicated basic information about altered town operations. Some towns provided more robust responses that evolved over time and included nuanced messages about COVID-19, a sense of community, and collaborations with partners. While smaller, more rural municipalities may have fewer residents and resources, many showed a larger-than-expected capacity to pivot quickly and rally together to respond to COVID-19 and communicate about that response

Preparing for a Changing Climate: The State of Adaptation Planning in Maine’s Coastal Communities

Climate change is having a range of impacts on Maine’s coastal communities, impacts that will be further exacerbated by increased coastal flooding, storm events, and a warming Gulf of Maine. To better understand the status of adaptation planning by Maine coastal communities, we conducted a survey and in-depth interviews with decision makers from coastal communities. We found that communities are addressing the effects of climate change and have moved towards specific implementation strategies. Adaptation planning to date includes incorporation of climate change impacts in comprehensive planning and addressing impacts on roads, culverts, and waterfront infrastructure. Respondents indicated the need for more specific data on the direct impacts of climate change in their communities over the next two years. They identified a preference for spatial data and interactive websites, followed by support from technical experts. Although the majority of respondents had an understanding of the physical vulnerabilities their communities face, they identified a need for increased resources to assess social vulnerability impacts. Additionally, communities face challenges in identifying appropriate funding sources that match identified needs. Adaptation planning processes are often stymied by the lack of dedicated funding that enables coastal communities to be proactive in addressing the physical and social impacts of climate change

Before and After the Clean Water Act: How Science, Law, and Public Aspirations Drove Seven Decades of Progress in Maine Water Quality

In the 1950s, Maine established a water quality classification system creating the conceptual scaffolding of a tiered system of management. Passage of the federal Clean Water Act in 1972 drove dramatic advances in science, technology, and policy leading to systematic improvement for the next five decades. Today’s tiered classification system provides a range of management goals from natural to various allowable uses. The state assigns uses and standards for each classification, incorporating physical, chemical, and biological indicators. This system has brought steady improvement in water quality, ecological condition, and overall value for human use. Visible evidence of improvement and adoption of these management alternatives have inspired a re-imagining of how Maine’s waters can benefit clean water-based businesses, recreation, and amenity development

River restoration: Institutions, boundaries, and social ecological dynamics

This human dimensions research, consisting of three manuscripts, explores the social and ecological dimensions of river restoration through an examination of the restoration trajectories of the Androscoggin, an impaired system, and the Kennebec, a restored system. Manuscript one examines the influence of biophysical and community attributes and institutional rules on policy stakeholders goals and actions within the two watersheds. For manuscripts one and two, we conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants, assembled documents pertaining to restoration actions, and conducted participant observation at stakeholder meetings. We qualitatively analyzed transcripts and documents. Results suggest that policy stakeholders' understandings of biophysical and community attributes influence watershed goals. Collaborations leverage institutional rules in use differently as a function of restoration state to achieve goals. Within impaired systems, collaborations invest in shifting public perception to build support for longer term restoration actions. Manuscript two examines factors contributing to emergence of boundary management processes associated with addressing river restoration challenges. Our second objective was an examination of the influence of restoration state on four functions of boundary organizations: convening, collaborating, translating, and mediating. Results indicate that the underlying restoration state influences the nature of collaborations at an individual and organization level differently. At an individual level within the impaired watershed, stakeholders valued the role of researchers in lending neutrality. At an institutional level, boundary organizations occupied varying roles, shifting public perception at one end of the restoration spectrum and leveraging restoration gains into community benefits at the other end. Certain functions transcend the state of restoration such as the role of student learning in fostering collaborations. Manuscript three examines the social dimensions of river restoration. Using spatial analysis, we examine spatial-temporal patterns of water classification shifts, and interaction with the creation of amenity infrastructure and landscape patterns along the river corridors. Despite historical differences in patterns of water classification levels, these two systems were comparable in the level amenity infrastructure and in many landscape metrics. The pace of amenity development differed over time and along the rivers, raising questions about the larger role of amenity investment in increasing community awareness of river systems