Developing integrated participatory management strategies for Atlantic dune systems in county Donegal, Northwest Ireland

Development planning and resource management in the Irish coastal zone have traditionally followed sectoral, top-down models, with limited opportuniti es for public participation or concertation of administrative effort. Integ rated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is often proposed as an appropriate po licy response in cases where these approaches have been seen to fail. In th is paper, we argue that ICZM may be more sustainable if first introduced at a small scale. Local-level initiatives, designed to produce demonstrable b enefits at an early stage, are perhaps more likely to engender long-term su pport for ICZM. This is particularly relevant where baseline data are lacki ng and coastal processes are poorly understood. Using seven county Donegal beach and dune systems as demonstration sites, the potential of this approa ch to provide scientifically-founded, locally-agreed management plans was t ested over a range of coastal issues, such as progressive shoreline erosion , habitat loss, tourist development, conflicting recreational activities an d traffic management. Progress at each of the sites was partially dependent on the existence, coherence and activity of existing community organizatio ns. In the best example, a local development group already employing many o f the central principles of ICZM (e.g. inclusive participation, working wit h natural processes) was identified. By focussing on local problems, practi cal solutions and relatively small numbers of stakeholders, agreement was r eached on the majority of issues and strategies covered by the management p lans. Implementation of the plans will begin in early 2000.