Part I, Underpinnings and Planning Applications, provides observations theories about how people perceive risk. It establishes guidelines that will assist water resource planners and managers in their efforts to communicate with the public and with decision makers about situations in which risk is important. Public perception, Risk communication and display, Uncertainty, Planning process.

Part II, 'An Annotated Bibliography', provides water resource managers with a survey of current and relevant literature on risk and uncertainty management and communication. It consists of a detailed annotation of 129 journal articles, books, theses, dissertations, or research reports that have been numbered and cross referenced to match principal themes associated with risk perception, behavior and risk communication. Risk assessment, Hazard, Public perception, Uncertainty, Risk communication and display, Planning process.