RE: First Impression of Policy Goals and Implementation

[Sheila Foster <srfoster@crab.rutgers.edu>]

Depending on the context (i.e. type of project), opportunities for discussion among members of the public can be an invaluable public involvement tool.  Two examples come to mind: 1) the use of citizen advisory boards in the permitting context and 2) the use of community working groups in the cleanup context.  Both of these areas often involve a high degree of public concern and conflicts within communities surrounding the decisions.  I have seen instances where advisory boards and working groups help to reduce conflict among stakeholders, promote better understanding of the project and its impacts on the community, and provide a more efficient exchange of information and alternatives between government officials, regulated entities and members of the public than would a series of public meetings.  So, these collaborative settings can be quite useful in achieving a number of goals set out in the policy.