Collaborative design of fish habitat enhancement projects in streams and rivers of Washington State

Abstract

A study was conducted of project-level design processes related to fish habitat enhancement projects across Washington state. Data was collected from 65 projects within 14 Water Resource Inventory Areas. Over 200 individuals and agencies were found to have participated in project-level decision making. Social network analysis was used to identify communication linkages between participants, and to identify likely sources of influence. Social networks were weak within and across projects, except in rural eastern Washington. Problem framing by sponsors and participants had a substantial influence on objectives and constraints; yet little impact on chosen solution features. Team structure appeared to take on the form of an informal collaborative network rather than a formal organizational structure. Engineers played various roles including analyst, designer, advisor and leader. Engineering roles were highly situational and not predictable from project to project.