Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Academic literature analyzing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land-use subgovernment stops at the Taylor Grazing Act and concludes that the historical development of administering grazing on public lands led to the capture of the BLM by ranching interests. Using a two-pronged methodological approach of process tracing and elite interviews this dissertation seeks to advance our collective knowledge of subgovernment theory by a) clarifying the impact executive decision-making has on subgovernments and b) identifying the conditions under which strategically competitive behavior between two competing subgovernment actors occurs. The dissertation seeks to update the literature by explaining what has caused the BLM to shift from a rancher-dominated agency to an energy dominated agency by identifying conditions under which subgovernment actors strategically responded to a political conflict.

The research poses two questions: 1) how have executive actions disrupted an existing balance of power in a so-called “strong corner” of an entrenched subgovernment system, and 2) what happens when conflict and competition break out between allied members of the system? Analysis indicates that as the BLM responded to Executive actions emphasizing domestic energy production, a conflict emerged between traditional allies: ranching and energy.

Triggered by the unintended consequence of awakening long-dormant legislation, split-estate energy development—where property rights are severed between private surface and federal mineral estates—expanded across the West. In turn, this expansion helped establish the conditions for conflict and in doing so disrupted the balance of power between large public resource use interests in the relatively stable land-use subgovernment of the BLM.

Indicative of energy’s emerging dominance of the BLM’s subgovernment, split-estate energy development led ranching interests to seek the protection of their Western state legislatures. This shift in domination led to a series of fiercely competitive political responses between the formerly allied interest groups.

Findings indicate that as the political conflict intensified it became clear that the BLM’s land-use policies were no longer dominated by ranching interests, but were now dominated by energy development interests. The analysis concludes that this shift in domination disproves the long accepted conclusion that the BLM is forever an agency captured by ranching interests and that subgovernments are beyond the control of the President.

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine the sociological impact of including “special populations” (people who are monolingual Spanish, are Deaf, and/or have physical disabilities) in a disaster involving hazardous materials decontamination.

Emergency plans are generally created for individuals who can hear and speak English, and who have the ability to walk or drive. However, there are large segments of the population who cannot do one or more of these. They are more vulnerable when disaster occurs.

Sinai Health System conducted a Hazardous Material drill on 8/1/07. Participants included:
• People who are Deaf
• Individuals with mobility disabilities
• People with limited English skills

Findings included:
• Simple adaptations vastly improve the quality of service offered.
• With the proper equipment and training, decontamination times are not significantly longer for people with mobility limitations.
• We can enhance service delivery by including users’ perspectives.

Based on the information gleaned in post-drill focus groups, this presentation offers suggestions for best practices for future decontamination situations. These enhancements have a Universal Benefit, making existing plans more suitable for ALL individuals.

This poster will present an analysis of the qualitative data gleaned from the focus groups as well as the visual documentation data (i.e., selected pictures from the event). It will also include a summary of the impact this project has had on the greater Chicagoland health system and the decontamination procedures of seven major hospitals.