Social Assessment & Environmental Justice Studies

Numerous public programs, policies, and projects have failed due to the lack of attention given to the complex nature and importance of social relationships, from the micro to the macro. Resource Dimensions holistic approach integrates social assessment processes in evaluating the distribution of power and control over resources across society. Through such analyses, we develop a broader understanding and are better equipped to develop, design and deliver higher quality programs, projects and policies that succeed to empower people, and create diverse opportunities that seek to bring opponents together in developing and implementing sound resource management, conservation and economic development plans. Our resource social scientists, planners and economists have over two-decades of experience in helping agencies and organizations devise balanced, lasting approaches to an array of land use, transportation, community development, recreation, and resource management issues.

Some of our recent projects include:

Public Perception of Domestic Energy Use and Energy Efficiency
Valuing the Attributes of Renewable Energy Investments
This project, funded by the Scottish Economic Policy Network (SEPN), was developed and carried out by Resource Dimensions’ Ariel Bergman in coordination with Dr. Nick Hanley and Robert Wright (University of Stirling, UK). Ariel developed the research strategy, conducted focus groups and contingent valuation survey to assist in quantifying public knowledge of domestic energy use and current energy efficiency measures. Several scenarios of onshore/offshore wind, hydroelectric and wave/tidal technologies were assessed to understand the potential financial value of such projects in terms of community net benefits and sustainability.

Environmental Justice Assessment & Technical Report
SR28 Eastside Corridor Study
For the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Washington State DOT, David Evans & Associates contracted Resource Dimensions for our expertise in economic, social, environmental justice analyses, and social science expertise in developing strategic community outreach plans to enhance public involvement of Title VI (minority and low-income populations) within the decision-making context. Dr. Gustanski led the Resource Dimensions team of Harris, Iorgulescu, Wang and Wulfhorst on the project. Given the unique aspects that differentiate Hispanic and Anglo communities a unique approach was required to bring forth the diversity required to assess the nature of community and social impacts on various populations within the East Wenatchee/Wenatchee area. Resource Dimensions with community leaders from the ESD, School District, WorkSource, the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, the NW Hispanic Chamber, Wenatchee Valley Community College, Douglas County Assessor’s Office, Headstart programs, the Catholic church, and a variety of other community-based groups to develop and implement the plan. Various analyses were conducted and reports prepared to meet demanding project deadlines. The reports produced were highly praised by the WSDOT and FHWA review teams and our community-based forums/public involvement process was deemed as “…one of the best ever witnessed…” by the WSDOT planning review team.

Human Responses to Wildfire
Dr. Joanne Vining has partnered with Dr. Terry Daniel from Arizona State University on this project for the U.S. Forest Service, North Central Research Station. The purpose is to evaluate public response to fire management treatments-particularly fuel reduction and restoration-across a range of social and biophysical settings. This research is urgently needed so land managers can choose communication and treatment strategies more wisely, to help reduce controversies and strengthen constituencies for fire management treatments. Dr. Vining has led the development of stand-level predictive models under various prescribed scenarios to assess public perceptions of aesthetic impact and the social acceptability of treatments. In addition, individuals' knowledge of fire and fire risk, and their attitudes toward fire management practices will be assessed. The data will provide a social data layer to link with spatial-temporal data on silvicultural/fuels treatments from models such as LANDIS and NORTHWDS.

Social Impact Assessment
SR28 Eastside Corridor EIS
For the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Resource Dimensions’ lead the community and social impact assessment process, conducted analysis and prepared the Technical Discipline Reports and respective DEIS chapters for the $150-million dollar road improvement project in East Wenatchee, Washington. Developed and implemented the targeted community-based public outreach program, evaluated future community growth and development, conducted assessment of social impacts of (4) proposed alternatives, and prepared technical discipline report.

Social Impact Assessment
Upper Deschutes, Prineville District Reservoir Resource and Master Management Plan EIS
For the BLM, Resource Dimensions, conducted social and economic impact assessments and prepared relevant reports on subcontract for the Prineville Reservoir Management Master Plan EIS. Miscellaneous social assessment and impact analyses were conducted relative to seven (7) alternative resource development scenarios proposed for the Prineville Reservoir area. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of development alternatives on communities within the three-county region were assessed. Resource areas analyzed include land ownership and use, recreation and tourism, amenity values, environmental justice, community development and fire/fuels management. (In cooperation with ESA).

Assessing Socioeconomic Impacts within a River-basin
For the EPA, Resource Dimensions’ team assisted in the preparation of a conceptual manual to develop and apply technically sound, but useful and easily understandable guidance for assessing the socioeconomic consequences of ecological restoration projects for rivers and their floodplains in the western U.S. Analysis evaluated the economic consequences of river and wetland restoration and applied the methodology in a case study of the Vermillion River in South Dakota.

Community-Based Social Impact Assessment
Phases I & II - Lower Snake Juvenile Salmon Migration Feasibility Study and EIS
For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Dr. Harris, lead the social impact assessment team in developing appropriate methods and implementation of the community-based public involvement process. Using a series of community-based forums, and numerous on-site workshops and interviews held throughout Central and Southern Idaho, Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon, data was collected, coded and content analysis was carried out to determine relevant issues and concerns. A 463-page report on the multi-year social impact assessment was prepared and accompanied the Phase I and II Feasibility Study/EIS.

Socioeconomic Impact Analysis Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge
For the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Resource Dimensions personnel conducted socioeconomic impact analysis and assisted in developing report on proposal to establish the Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio.

Socioeconomic Assessment and Evaluation of Planning Impacts on River Based Communities.
Resource Dimensions conducted a series of planning legislation review, analyses, and determination of tax implications and fiscal impacts on St. Croix County and its municipalities for the county-based Economic Development Management Plan, River Falls, WI.