institutional vacuity
DESCRIPTION
Paper presented at the 4th International Lake Tourism Conference, Thunder Bay, Canada, June 22, 2009.TRANSCRIPT
Institutional Vacuity and the Management of Great Lakes Coastal Zones in Ontario, Canada
4th International Lake Tourism ConferenceThunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
June 21st – June 25th 2009
R.J. PayneCentre for Tourism and Community Development Research
Lakehead University
Institutional Vacuity
'Institutional Vacuity' Methods
New Institutional Analysis Case Study Research
Michipicoten Bay, Lake Superior Huron County coast, Lake Huron
Conclusion
Institutional Vacuity
'Institutional Vacuity' Two dimensions
'emptiness' Here, emptiness in terms of legislation that
addresses the coastal zone and related issues Here, emptiness in terms of public organizations
that apply appropriate legislation Ontario has no legislation for coastal zone management
and no agency with that responsibility
Institutional Vacuity
Institutional Vacuity
New Institutional AnalysisLegislation, policy and administration as focal areas
Performance and effectiveness
Science and decision making
Integrated coastal zone management?
Institutional Vacuity
Methods: Case Studies Michipicoten Bay, Lake
Superior Rugged, near-natural conditions Low population density Resource extraction, plus nature-
based tourism
Huron County Coast, Lake Huron
Rural, agricultural but also lake-oriented tourism
Higher population density
Institutional Vacuity
Case Study: Michipicoten Bay, Lake Superior
ISSUE: gravel extraction and shipping versus nature-based tourism
Management reponsibilities:
Land-based: Ontario MNR: gravel extraction, limited tourism
Water-based: federal DOT; DFO (water column); MNR: fish
Coast: no public agency; citizens' groups vs. Superior Aggregates
No structure within which to weigh pro's/con's and make a decision
Institutional Vacuity
Case Study: Huron County Coast, Lake Huron
ISSUE: intensive livestock operations (hogs) vs. tourism (beach use, cottaging, boating)
Management responsibilities
Land-based: planning, drinking water, agriculture (Ontario); planning (municipalities - devolved from province)
Water-based: federal DOT; water column DFO; fish Ontario MNR
Coast: no public agency; citizens' organizations
No structure within which to weigh pro's/con's and to mediate
Institutional Vacuity
ConclusionsQuestions that concern both land and water are not considered
Tourism is NOT a high priority for involved agencies
As an activity As an activity that requires high quality environmental
conditions
Hope?Healthy Great Lakes, Strong Ontario (February, 2009)
Talking to Ontarians about protecting, restoring, using and enjoying the Great Lakes