A Social Indicators System for OCS Impact Monitoring

Abstract

This report describes the design of a data collection system to monitor changes in the individual well-bein of Alaska residents who may be affected by OCS development activities. The system employs a limited set of indicators to provide a comprehensive description of individual well-being over time. The indicators are derived from existing data and from formal interviews with random samples of individuals.

The justification for designing and implementing this data collection system is found in section 256.82 of Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The system is designed to contribute to pre-lease assessments and to help fulfill the responsibilities of the Minerals Management Service to monitor the effects of development.

The first stage of the design effort consisted of a preliminary identification of social goals recognized by Alaska's rural coastal residents. These goals included universally recognized concerns such as housing, health, and income as well as regionally and culturally specific social goals. These initially identified goals were then field tested through key informant interviews and a comparison of goals with current issues. The goals were modified on the basis of field test results and used as a framework for the identification of indicators of individual well-being.

Individual social indicators of well-being were developed according to explicit rules. At least one indicator had to be included for each of the most detailed goals identified (sub goals). The meaning of each indicator had to correspond with the meaning of one, and only one, sub goal. All indicators had to directly measure individual well-being and must accurately reflect reality and actual change. Researchers sough to develop both objective and subjective indicators for each sub goal.

Existing data sources were reviewed for potential indicators. Researchers found that existing data sources are inadequate as the sole basis for a social indicators system. Therefore, indicators based on primary data were developed, repeatedly tested and modified, and incorporated into a single questionnaire.

The report describes the steps necessary to implement the Alaska OCS Social Indicators System. Data collection efforts are scheduled to coincide with the current leasing schedule. Key subpopulations are identified as the targets for primary data collection. The report concludes with a discussion of how the social indicator data can be used in pre-lease assessments and in studies of the actual effects of OCS development activities on individual well-being.