Lake Okeechobee: A case study of intergovernmental coordination among Florida's regulatory agencies

The intergovernmental relations among the agencies responsible for regulating activities in and around Lake Okeechobee, and their relations with the industries they regulate, appear to lack the coordination and cooperation necessary to effectively manage the lake's resources. The objective of this thesis is to examine the factors affecting these regulatory relationships, and explore alternatives for resolving intergovernmental conflict. Several consensus building tools are examined, including Resource Planning and Management Committees as authorized by Chapter 380, Florida Statutes, as well as committees created through gubernatorial executive orders. By analyzing and comparing these tools, as well as theories of intergovernmental relations, this study will identify the best available method for fostering intergovernmental coordination in the Lake Okeechobee region and its surrounding areas.