Local Regulation of Natural Resources: Efficiency, Effectiveness and Fairness of Wetlands Permitting in Massachusetts

Abstract

Local Governance of natural resources is equally praised as consistent with democratic principles and criticized as being overly subject to manipulation by special interests. Ms. Payne concludes that local regulation can be an effective, fair and efficient means of regulating some natural resources, such as wetlands. The Article argues that problems of capture by special interests are minimized when local governance is subject to state legislative, administrative, and judicial oversight. Finally, the Article notes that historical and cultural factors which prepare citizens for responsible and professional participation in government are important preconditions to successful local control of resource regulation.