RE: Collaboration versus constructive engagement

[Rich Puchalsky <rpuchalsky@att.net>]

Michael Glaab writes:
"For example, consider the following recapitulation of events which, to the best of my recollection, describes a precedent setting dispute over cleanup standards which is an example of constructive engagement and which has national implications for us all : [...]  Eventually the RAB decided to ask its local federal legislators in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to intercede. Shortly after this the EPA representative announced that he had been informed that his superiors had cited to him an internal memo which they interpreted such that the EPA would no longer oppose conformance to the less restrictive standards."

This story demonstrates, in my opinion, why constructive engagement does not work.  It looks like very little was accomplished until the RAB called the politicians in.  Imagine what could have been done if the RAB, rather than spending years on the paper chase, had organized the local residents to protest en masse.

Environmental activists should remember that they are there to protect the environment, not to "constructively engage" polluters and ecosystem destroyers.  EPA, states, and industry would certainly like you to "constructively engage"; that keeps you within a controllable schedule of meetings, hearings, comment periods, and so forth while the machinery grinds inexorably on.  Going to the press or the politicians breaks you out of this no-win situation.  Your major concern with meetings and permits should be how you can use them to slow down the opposition while you pursue other avenues.

Superfund sites present a special case, because the pollution is already there, and you want the cleanup process to speed up.  In that case don't go to the meetings with a few experts, organize and go with as many people as you can get, and encourage them to peacefully protest, not comment.  Get media coverage of the protests.  New cleanup options will magically become available that just weren't possible before.  If you feel you must be involved in the official process just in case, play good cop / bad cop with another environmental group.