Citizens demanded a role in the decision making process. It was nearly a year before the stakeholder members were able to take their seats on the management committee. These questions caused conflict because there was no avenue to involve stakeholders equally in the process. Equal involvement by all stakeholders is fundamental to the success of partnerships for watershed management. Involvement requires an individual's or organization's presence and visible interaction with others in the decision-making process.
Many citizens seek to participate without their direct personal involvement.
They want decision makers to hear their views and to recognize their influence without them having to confront those with other points of view. In any case, it is important to recognize that citizen involvement in the development of public decisions is needed to ensure fairness and an acceptable collective decision about shared problems and solutions that can be implemented. Citizen concerns, views, hopes, and perceptions are critical to the development of a workable decision. Fundamental to a good decision is the development of a process for fair and open involvement. Equalizing the power base for involvement requires that everyone know, understand, and share in the development of the groundrules.