A multiple-objective decision analysis of stakeholder values to identify watershed improvement needs

This paper describes the use of multiple-objective decision analysis to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the quality of an endangered watershed and guide future efforts to improve the quality of the watershed. The Upham Brook Watershed is an urban watershed that lies at the interface of declining inner-city Richmond, Virginia, and growth-oriented Henrico County. A section of stream within the watershed has been identified as so dangerously polluted that it threatens the health of the residents who live within the watershed boundaries. With funding provided by the National Science Foundation, the Upham Brook Watershed project committee was formed to address the quality of the Upham Brook Watershed; it consisted of experts from multiple disciplines: stream ecology, environmental policy, water policy, ground and surface water hydrology and quality, aquatic biology, political science, sociology, citizen participation, community interaction, psychology, and decision and risk analysis. Each member's values and goals were brought together using a watershed management framework to meet the overall objective of the committee: to maximize the quality of the Upham Brook Watershed. The resulting model was used to identify the largest value gaps and to identify future programs needed to improve the quality of the watershed.