Date of Award

Winter 12-10-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

In 2016, the Monterey County (California) Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 not to place a moratorium on ‘fracking‘ -- a controversial extraction method used by the oil and gas industry. A small, but passionate group of environmental advocates named Protect Monterey County began an emotional grass roots, environmental-focused, campaign to overturn that decision by ballot measure. “Measure Z” was touted a ban on fracking, but also contained less publicized language to restrict oil and gas production, among other items. Amid much controversy over the veracity of claims by opponents and proponents, Measure Z passed, but did the “voice of the public” really know what they were voting for? This case study and review of the relevant literature will examine the approach and methods of a small organization to appeal to voters, the merits of the ballot measure as a democratic process, the disputed approach by the County Board of Supervisors to address an important and charged issue by allowing it to become a hot-button partisan matter, and the ever-growing costs being realized to rule on the legality of the Measure. Data will be collected from County, city, and state public records and meeting minutes; surveys and interviews of local citizenry; focus groups; and, first-person interviews with key informants both directly involved with Measure Z and knowledgeable about the politics and maneuvering by both sides of the ballot initiative. The results of this study may provide information on how public administrators can better work with advocacy groups and more efficiently balance significant and emotionally sensitive environmental concerns in a non-partisan manner.

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