Resolving Environmental Disputes presents detailed case studies from the key contemporary themes in resource management and environmental protection, such as: access to the countryside for recreation, sustainable forestry, pollution and risks to health, and coastal zone management. The book spans both theory and practice in assessing the relationship between public participation and mediation. It is structured around detailed case studies from Britain, the USA and the Netherlands, which are interspersed with chapters providing explanation and interpretation of the theoretical and practical issues involved. In reviewing the state of environmental conflict resolution, the author examines how and why conflicts occur and whether approaches to conflict resolution based on consensus building could be more widely applied.

Table of Contents:
Introduction * PART I: UNDERSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL DISPUTES * Introduction to the Principal Case Studies * Access to the Countryside in England and Wales * The Designation of the Pentland Hills Regional Park * Using Social Theory to Explain Conflicts * Conflict Analysis * A Dynamic Analysis of the Designation of the Pentland Hills Regional Park * A Dynamic Analysis of Moorland Access in the Peak District National Park * PART II: STRATEGIES FOR COOPERATION * Alternative Dispute Resolution � The Contribution of Negotiation and Consensus Building * Ways of Resolving Disputes * Consensus Building * Assessing Participation in Decision-making * Mediation and Its Contribution to Resolving Environmental Disputes * The Process of Mediation * Pre-negotiation Discussions � The Importance of Thorough Preparation * The Negotiation and Post-negotiation Stages * Critiques of Mediation * The Mediators' Response � Conflict Assessment and Process Design * Applications of Environmental Mediation * Cultural Variations * Case Study: Access Management by Local Consensus � Mediated Negotiations in the Peak District * 'Clearing the Air' � The North Oxford County Coalition * Pre-negotiation Stage * Negotiation Stage * Strengths and Weaknesses of the NOCC Process * Turning Points in the Debate * Achievements and Outcomes of the NOCC * The Value of Outside Intervention * Public Participation in Decision-making and Partnerships * Participation � Opportunity or Problem? * The Case for Participation * Definitions of Participation and the Values They Espouse * Tokenism and the Exercise of Power * The Distinction between Consultation and Public Involvement * Communities and Partnerships * Process Design * Principles of Participation * Building Trust � Crucial Lessons in Participation and Partnership * Case Studies * PART III: THE REALITIES OF POWER * Organizations, Power and Conflict * Power and Conflict * Case Study 1: The Designation of the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve * Case Study 2: Planning in the Rhine Delta * Consensus and the Political Process * Understanding Political Processes * Case Study 1: Striving for Sustainability in the Northern Maine Woods * Case Study 2: Countryside Access in Scotland � The Work of the Scottish Access Forum * PART IV: THE CASE FOR REFORM * Conclusions on Removing the Barriers * How and Why Environmental Conflicts Occur * The Role of Conflicts in the Political Process * Using Consensus Building to Prevent or Resolve Conflict * Removing the Barriers: The Wider Application of Environmental Consensus Building in Scotland * Opportunities for Institutional Reform * Final Reflections *