A framework for ensuring compliance with public participation guidelines under the National Environment Policy Act in rural community environmental decision making

This dissertation addresses the need for a measurable tool to assist in determining the adequacy of public participation in the environmental decision process in the rural sector. Using case studies and surveys, an Environmental Stakeholders Index was developed and tested. This method is proposed to serve as a beginning point for federal and state decision makers to use when determining if they, or their contracted agents, complied with the requirements for public participation as addressed in the National Environmental Policy Act.