Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory Advance Access originally published online on November 4, 2007
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 2008 18(4):673-696; doi:10.1093/jopart/mum031
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Local Policy Networks and Agricultural Watershed Management
University of California, Davis
UC Cooperative Extension
Address correspondence to the author at mnlubell{at}ucdavis.edu.
This article emphasizes the critical role of local policy networks for the implementation of agricultural watershed management and the adoption of environmental best management practices. Local networks facilitate diffusion of innovations, the development of social capital, and cultural change. All of these elements are essential for the ability of watershed management programs to successfully solve the water quality collective action problems caused by agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Analyses of survey data from 408 orchard growers in California's Sacramento River watershed demonstrate that exposure to policy networks substantially increases the probability of adopting environmental practices. These findings have important implications for public administration and policies where implementation depends on widespread cooperation and the development of networks with public agencies.