The Effects of Enhanced Information Utilization in Collaborative Hazard Mitigation Planning

Problem, research strategy, and indingsNatural hazard mitigation plans are prepared in communities throughout the United States. Like many complex, multijurisdictional issues, the plans should be developed collaboratively using the best available data to reduce risks. In this study we assessed a program that enhanced data utilization for collaborative hazard mitigation planning to determine its impact on plans, processes, and implementation. We used surveys, plan analysis, interviews, and forums to compare three Oregon counties that participated in the program with three that partially participated and four that did not participate. We found that the program had limited effect because professionals encountered mismatched perceptions of risk, difficulties with data translation and interpretation, lack of integration, and limited engagement. This research highlights implications for packaging risk data, the role of information in collaboration, and the challenge of collaborative implementation, but the focus on the Oregon experience may limit the generalizability to other contexts.Takeaway for practiceTo overcome the decision biases common in risk-based decision making, practitioners need to articulate specific outcomes connected to emotion, social norms, and peer attitudes. Data and analysis should be part of an interactive process to promote shared understanding among decision makers. Practitioners will be more effective when they combine these strategies with opportunities to galvanize the public and decision makers toward action.