States' (and local governments') best practices

[Mary Hamel <hamelm@dnr.state.wi.us>]

One of our topics for today is the best practices of states.  I am not sure there is a difference among best practices of states, federal governments, local governments, tribes, or private and nonprofit entities.  All would be based on the same principles discussed here throughout this dialogue.

But we'll see during today's discussion what the differences are.

I did ask staff here at the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources for some ideas.  This is some of what I heard:

* using more collaborative processes involving the full range of stakeholders in DEVELOPING rules or other problem-solving/decision-making processes.  Mutual problem solving rather than reacting to an agency proposal.

* using a range and variety of good communication tools to keep people informed

* holding workshops for local governments to help them understand options and opportunities

* borrow from open house techniques when having hearings -- offering both day and evening hours

* El Paso, TX, used senior citizen volunteers to inventory contamination sources in a wellhead protection areas.  Bolunteer organizations can be very helpful in accomplishing tasks which would be expensive if done by a city or state.

* Both Chippewa Falls and Waupaca actively involved a variety of local interests in wellhead protection planning efforts.  The protection area extended beyond their boundaries so they got the local jurisdictions involved early and worked together rather than antagonistically.  Also Waupaca provided financial incentives to farmsers so they would grow different crops and reduce the potential for nitrate contamination of groundwater.

What ideas do you have to share?