The Actual Condition of Canal Maintenance and Possibility of Residents' Participation:

A Case Study of Two Rural Communities in Miyagi Prefecture

Abstract

To clarify actual conditions of canal maintenance and the possibility of residents' participation, we made a field study in two rural communities in Miyagi Prefecture. This study shows that current numbers of work participants were nearly minimum for maintenance, and in some canals cases were already insufficient. Financial problem was not observed. Although residents' opinion was different in two rural communities on the canal maintenance and the conservation of habitats, it was confirmed in both communities that setting up facilities with conservation of habitats would promote residents' participation in canal maintenance under five conditions.