EPA's evolving role - 2-way communication & trust
- Archived: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 11:26:00 -0400 (EDT)
- Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 11:23:43 -0400 (EDT)
- From: Barry Zalph <bzalph@co.jefferson.ky.us>
- Subject: EPA's evolving role - 2-way communication & trust
- X-topic: Local Issues/Superfund
Jerry Filbin has given some encouraging examples of EPA's work to assist in community-based environmental decisions. Over the past week, I have found striking the range of trust and respect (from nil to high) expressed by participants toward the EPA. Inevitably, Mr. Filbin has encountered anti-EPA sentiment among some participants in the community-based decisions in which his office has provided support.
My question: How does EPA overcome or transcend a bad reputation (whether or not deserved) to become adequately well trusted in a given community to function effectively as an impartial assistant? I ask this both with regard to EPA's providing technical assistance and providing process assistance (convening, facilitating, etc.)
I suspect that the answers to this question could apply to other local, state, and federal agencies that seek to assist impartially in public policy discussions or decision-making processes.
|
|
Date
|