Communicating risk and increasing civic engagement in water protection in Minnesota

Abstract

Forty percent of Minnesota lakes and rivers are classified as “impaired bodies.” The extent of water problems is far-reaching; each of Minnesota’s 87 counties has an impaired river, lake, or stream. Despite the magnitude of Minnesota’s water problems, water protection and restoration initiatives primarily have been agency-driven and technology-centered. Though new programs are touting a more collaborative watershed management approach, true civic engagement is needed to identify and solve water issues that span multiple jurisdictions and land uses. Engaging residents in water protection increases the success of a project, builds trust between residents and local agencies, and sets future projects up for greater public support. Despite all these benefits, the question of how to get residents involved in water management persists. Minnesotans value clean water and water provides multiple cultural services on which residents depend. Given these water values and benefits, how do residents perceive water in the state? Do perceptions of water quality and beliefs about water problems influence civic engagement in water? Using an integrated model of the Risk Information Seeking and Processing framework and Norm Activation Theory, I analyze data collected through a statewide survey of Minnesota residents to determine the influence of perceptions of water risk, experience with water, perceived information sufficiency, self-efficacy, socio-demographics, and social and personal norms on civic engagement in water. The integrated model explained 24% of variance in civic engagement in Minnesota residents, with information sufficiency and relevant water experience being the strongest predictors. This suggests that residents may need a stronger personal connection to water issues to get involved in protection efforts. Study findings will help to inform future outreach and risk communication strategies to develop pro-environmental behaviors in Minnesota residents.