Hearings & Public Input

[David Weitz <weitzd@dnr.state.wi.us>]

David Clarke said earlier that:
"it is clear to me that these highly contentious issues are extraordinarily complex because they involve a broad range of facts, fears, hopes, and dreams - a medley of scientific information and trans-scientific values. Equally clear to me is that decisions made with broad input are always better than decisions made without regard for the diverse information and values people can bring forward"

I'd like to note that after a couple of decades of work with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and work earlier as a reporter it's pretty clear that people's values drive their interaction with agencies in their analysis of how a potential permit impacts them. 

Open house sessions with agency staff, where people can get information, can help people to decide how their values may be affected by a proposal.

Unfortunately public hearing formats sometimes are restrictive and some people just don't like coming forward to sit before a microphone and state their opinions.  If there is an option so that people can email or mail their comments it can greatly enhance the quality of public participation.