Tools and Technology

[Carolyn Offutt <offutt.carolyn@epa.gov>]

Joanne Wyman noted on July 11 that I had stated that "I am interested in knowing how to better present environmental information to the public, particularly via the Internet. Are there tools that will help involve the public participate in environmental decision-making? Should we be presenting more information via maps, graphs, audio files, videos? Should we provide information and web pages to mobile phones and handheld devices? Should we video-cast public meetings?"  Joann added that "the public is not homogenous.  Its many segments are at varying levels of technology adoption. Additionally, some people grasp words and data tables, while others absorb information better through pictures and other visual displays. Using old standby approaches (e.g., town meetings, brochures, fact sheets, radio/TV) side-by-side with an array of newer technologies is essential to being inclusive. "

She is absolutely correct.  I think the best approach for public involvement could be a Town Meeting with:
  -- brochures and fact sheets on a table,
  -- the site manager taking questions about the site assessment in one corner of the room
  -- a video about risk assessment in another,
  -- a map on the wall showing the extent of soil contamination using a Geographic Information System (GIS),
  -- a computer projecting on a screen in another corner the ground water contamination plume,
  -- and representatives of the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) responding to questions about the remedy in another corner.

What else can we add to stimulate community participation in environmental decisionmaking?

Carolyn