The studies presented here concern the responses of local community residents to the presence and actions of the National Park Service in two relatively newly designated river areas. In one case, a bitter, protracted conflict between local community groups and the agency occurred, while in the other instance, remarkably harmonious relationships developed. Reasons for the differences in response between the two areas are discussed from the perspective of the interpretive paradigm in sociology. It is suggested that community response can be understood on the basis of the social construction of the meaning of agency presence on the part of local residents. It is further suggested that this social construction is the result of both day#x2010;to#x2010;day interactions and key symbolic events. Implications with respect to the success of management strategies are discussed.
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