RE: Identifying the Interested Public

[Glenn Landers <glenn.landers@sierraclub.org>]

You may have already tried this, or it may not helpful for your particular situation, but I'll offer it anyway.

I've found that around existing facilities there are often people who have repeatly complained to city or village halls or local agencies. These are people who have already shown a interest, and some degree of motivation, so are likely to participate in hearings and other public processes.

I did a kind of experiment a while back with a Title V air permit. A permit was issued for comment in an area where air quality is very bad. I asked for a hearing and requested the Ohio EPA mail notice to everyone who had complained about the facility in the past three years. I didn't do any further organizing before the hearing, because I wanted to see how many people would show up on their own. Ohio EPA sent out 185 notices. About 30 people showed up, including the local mayor and council person. They all showed up without any prompting. In fact, no one was even aware that I had called for the hearing.


Unfortuately, it's sometimes hard to identify these concerned citizens, as compliants are not always directed to the appropriate place. In the case above, the list of complaintants came from a village hall log book. Citizens were unaware they should be complaining to Ohio EPA. 

So, I'd recommend that EPA check with state and local environmental agencies, including health departments. Also, village and city halls, or any other places that citizens might direct complaints.  

I'd suggest too that EPA needs to ensure state, local, and tribal entities administering federal programs do an adequate job of informing the public where complaints should be directed and recording contact information for those who complain so that that pool of concerned citizens can be called upon.