RE: First Impression of Policy Goals and Implementation

[John Delicath <delicajw@email.uc.edu>]

I wanted to comment on Sheila Foster's important remark about the 
nature of communication during public participation processes.

Her suggestion that much of the communication fostered by 
contemporary mechanisms for PP is bi-lateral is only partially 
accurate.  In fact, bi-lateral communication would be an 
improvement over the communication fostered by mechanisms like 
the "public hearing" where communication is typically 
uni-lateral.  That is, administrators, officials, and experts 
speak to/at the public and then the public (and other 
stakeholders) are allowed to speak back to them without much 
discussion and dialogue.  There are other important issues here 
with regards to the kinds of communication fostered by specific 
forums and mechanisms for PP.  I hope the topic will be 
re-visited.

I would also like to add, however, that the other dynamic evident 
in Sheila's comment is "dead on."  And that is, the EPA needs to 
work on developing innovative and novel forums for participation 
that allow for dialogue, discussion, and even debate between 
stakeholders.  Only in officially sponsored forums where people 
can get to know one another and discuss concerns and visions can 
trust be established, productive lines of communication opened, 
and relationships built.