University of Kentucky UKnowledge University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2010 “EVERYDAY SYMBOLS FOR MEDIATION” CONFLICT AND COOPERATION OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA Carol Jo Evans University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Evans, Carol Jo, "“EVERYDAY SYMBOLS FOR MEDIATION” CONFLICT AND COOPERATION OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA" (2010). University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations. 16. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/16 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. 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ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION Carol Jo Evans The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 “EVERYDAY SYMBOLS FOR MEDIATION” CONFLICT AND COOPERATION OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA ____________________________________ ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION ____________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Carol Jo Evans Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. John Van Willigen, Professor of Anthropology Lexington, Kentucky 2010 Copyright © Carol Jo Evans 2010 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION “EVERYDAY SYMBOLS FOR MEDIATION” CONFLICT AND COOPERATION OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA Utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods, this in-depth ethnographic study of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BSFNRRA) examines social conflict and resistance stemming from competing values, definitions, and concerns over the management of cultural and natural resources within the region. The timing of this project is fortuitous for the National Park Service (NPS) has completed the creation of a ten year General Management Plan. Thus, we are provided with an opportunity to study and analyze the policy and methodology that park officials are required to follow in creating a management plan and eliciting public participation. The first goal of this study is to ascertain how the establishment of the BSFNRRA has altered local communities: (1) means of access to the area and (2) uses of resources within the area. Several questions will be asked and probed for answers. What happens to the meanings of the land and places on the land (such as a family cemetery) when the land is transformed from private to public ownership and is managed by a government agency for the benefit of preservation or recreation? How have residents been affected by and adapted to this transformation? The second goal is to probe the complex relationships and identify sources of conflict, resistance, and cooperation between community residents, NPS employees, and special interest groups. Essential questions arise and must be addressed. How are conflict, resistance, and cooperation demonstrated? The third goal is to delineate what measures can be taken to lessen conflict or resistance and promote cooperation? Since resistance often manifests itself in not participating in public meetings pertaining to the BSFNRRA, what measures can be taken to promote public participation? In conclusion, this study will draw clear and concise recommendations towards diminishing conflict between local residents and the NPS, along with recommendations on increasing public participation in the creation of policy pertaining to the management of public land. In addition to the applied aspect of this project, this study contributes to the body of theory by building on the mentalist paradigm of symbolic interactionism and the materialist paradigms of conflict and resistance theory. KEY WORDS: Protected Areas, Public Land Management Policy, Resistance, Participatory Methods, Conflict Resolution Carol Jo Evans June 10, 2010 “EVERYDAY SYMBOLS FOR MEDIATION” CONFLICT AND COOPERATION OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA By Carol Jo Evans Dr. John Van Willigen Director of Dissertation Dr. Richard W. Jefferies Director of Graduate Studies June 10, 2010 RULES FOR THE USE OF DISSERTATIONS Unpublished dissertations submitted for the Doctor’s degree and deposited in the University of Kentucky Library are as a rule open for inspection, but are to be used only with due regard to the rights of the authors. Bibliographical references may be noted, but quotations or summaries of parts may be published only with the permission of the author, and with the usual scholarly acknowledgments. Extensive copying or publication of the dissertation in whole or in part also requires the consent of the Dean of the Graduate School of the University of Kentucky. DISSERTATION Carol Jo Evans The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2010 “EVERYDAY SYMBOLS FOR MEDIATION” CONFLICT AND COOPERATION OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THE BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RIVER AND RECREATION AREA ____________________________________ DISSERTATION ____________________________________ A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Carol Jo Evans Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. John Van Willigen, Professor of Anthropology Lexington, Kentucky 2010 Copyright © Carol Jo Evans 2010 DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my mother, Sybil Layden Evans, and to my father, Joseph Warren Evans, and my feline companions, Belle, Spooky, and Cricket. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The writing of a dissertation can be a challenging and enlightening experience, yet it is not possible without the personal and practical support of numerous people. My deepest gratitude is to my advisor and mentor, Dr. John Van Willigen. I have been fortunate to have an advisor who gave me the freedom to explore my own thoughts, yet to also provide the guidance and direction to steer me back to the right path when I ventured into tangents. Similar to my father, Dr. Van Willigen taught me to think for myself, in addition to helping me transition from a student writing a term paper, to a scholar writing a dissertation. My sincere gratitude is also given to my other committee members, who like Dr. Van Willigen, helped me overcome many crisis situations in order to finish this dissertation. It was with the assistance of Dr. Kim McBride that I was introduced to my research area, who I was later privileged to work with on various research projects and to consider a dear friend. I am also grateful to Dr. Lori Garkovich for her encouragement and practical advice, in addition to her positive attitude. I am also thankful to her for commenting on my views and enriching my ideas. I am also indebted to Dr. Deborah Crooks, who provided both scholarly and emotional support, even though she joined the committee near the end of the process, she has supported my growth as a scholar since my first days as a graduate student. As the outside member from the Department of Political Science, I value Dr. Ernest Yanarella’s expertise on sustainable land development and conflict theory, especially his comments on Gramsci, and am grateful iii he volunteered for this role. I wish to also thank Dr. Karl Raitz, from the Department of Geography, for his insight and comments on the development of my research ideas. I am also thankful to Dr. Richard Jefferies, for his assistance as Director of Graduate Studies. I addition, I wish to thank Wanda Brooks, administrative assistant for the Department of Anthropology at the University of Kentucky, for her support and assistance with administrative work, and her assistance with my Power Point presentation before the defense of my dissertation. I am also grateful to the University of Kentucky’s Department of Anthropology for providing me with teaching assistantships while completing my degree, in addition to a Dissertation Enhancement Award. Furthermore, I would also like to express my gratitude to the National Science Foundation for providing a Summer Training Grant to explore possible research topics for my dissertation, which was supervised by Dr. Peter Little. I am also especially grateful for the fellowship funded by the Ford Foundation-Community Forestry Research Program for supporting my one year residency at the research site, which allowed me to become a part of the local community. In addition, I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Tom Greider, from the Department of Rural Sociology at the University of Kentucky, for sponsoring and supervising the survey implemented in this research study. I wish to also thank Dr. Greider for the many hours he spent listening and commenting on my ideas for my dissertation topic. I would like to express the deepest appreciation to the National Park Service, for granting me a consultant position with the National Park Service to collect information on the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BSFNRRA), in addition to access and use of various documents and publications. It was with the help of Myra iv Marcum, Biological Science Technician for the BSFNRRA, that I was introduced to various local residents and resources, and whose friendship I will always cherish. I am especially grateful to Tom Des Jean, archaeologist for the BSFNRRA, Tom was always available by phone or email to answer my numerous questions, and if he did not know the answer off hand (which in most cases he knew) he would find the answer for me as soon as possible. I can not express the amount of respect that I have for Tom’s knowledge on the BSFNRRA and other topics in general, his long list of publications is testament to this fact.