Restoration Contractors' Experiences With Work Opportunities in Two Different Policy Environments

• Main Author: MacDonald, Fraser
• Language: en_US
• Published: University of Oregon 2010
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1794/10829

xii, 65 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. === Over the last decade, federal and state policy guiding natural resource management in Oregon has transitioned towards restoration of federal and private lands and streams throughout the state. This transition in work opportunities has resulted in a different business environment for the contractors performing the work. Interviews with 190 contractors provide the foundation for a discussion of contractors' experiences with work opportunities in two different policy environments. The discussion and findings show that when categorized into three groups: (1) federal, (2) nonfederal, and (3) contractors that work equally for both groups, all described declines in federal work opportunities and increased opportunities with community-based organizations. Other major themes include increased competition in the marketplace coupled with fewer federal work opportunities. These themes demonstrate the increasing role community-based organizations play in providing work opportunities for contractors throughout the state and reinforce other research showing declines at the federal level. === Committee in Charge: Dr. Cassandra Moseley, Chair; Dr. Mike Hibbard; Dr. Max Nielsen-Pincus