Greetings

[Nina Powers <npowers@Home.com>]

 Thank you to EPA and Information Renaissance for hosting this online discussion. 

 I am foremost the mother of two healthy sons, one 30 yrs. old and one 10 yrs. old. Which is why I'm interested in EPA's policy on public participation. I want my children, and all children, to remain healthy. I expect EPA to remember their mission is to protect human health and the environment, not chemical registrants or other agencies. They are public servants, all information should be public record, and easily accessible. I want EPA resources ( the taxes I pay )and energy to focus on providing that.

 Professionally, I'm a Horticulturist. Pesticides and other environmental toxins are my concern and what prompts my previous and ongoing contact with EPA. I work for a government agency in Florida, so I'm aware of how government works(or doesn't work)

 Our landscaping and interior pest control is provided without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, less toxic effective alternatives are available, adverse impacts on children's health can be avoided. When it comes to stakeholder participation in EPA meetings, decisions, policy, the scales are not tipped in favor of the public. Although I support this e-forum discussion, the various segments of our population affected by EPA decisions that cannot participate has been already been noted.

 I am an advocate for our basic human right to health, and active in two NGO's, non govermental organizations, both of which participate in EPA's rule making process. I've been extremely dissatisfied with EPA consideration of public input on pesticide related decisions. There were previous postings touching on the need for the precautionary principle. It seems odd that citizens have to advocate for the protection of their health or the wetland in their neighborhood to the Agency that is charged with providing that oversight. I have the highest regard for many EPA employees I have met, I'm encouraged they are doing their jobs, it's upper level management that seems to forget the EPA mission statement.

 I participated in a previous EPA e-forum, found the exchange of ideas very interesting and informative, am looking forward to commenting on this topic, and reading other public comment.