Rules of the Road

[Jonathan Garoutte <jdavidg_76@hotmail.com>]

Hello.  My name is Jon Garoutte. I posted a couple messages during the first couple days of this dialogue but have mostly been "lurking" (although very intently).  I'm intern-ing on environmental justice and public participation in New Hampshire.  The first I'd really dug in to these issues was a couple months ago so I'm as green as they come and I'm attempting the learning-on-the-fly method of policy review. (a little overwhelming at times, yes).  This dialogue has been very timely for me and maybe I can add my two cents.  

Mush of the reason for my internship here has to do with the New Hampshire DES Environmental Equity policy and Public Participation policy.  Here are the links in case you would like to view them: 
www.des.state.nh.us/equitypolicy.htm 
www.des.state.nh.us/ppp.htm

One of the problems I see for smaller states is the lack of available funds and personnel to bring these issues to the forefront.  Here in NH there is not a public participation department, division, council, or unit.  There is me, an intern for 12 weeks, under the guidance of a few very concerned and very busy upper level administrators and with the full support of the Commissioner of the DES (who has recently been appointed the head administrator of EPA Region I).  I see that there are many things that a State (or any agency) can and need to do to involve the public.  Does anyone have an idea of something that may be implemented on basically no budget and in a relatively short time?  Does such a thing exist?  I would like to know because this is my situation.

Another question (somewhat related) is: does the public know how to participate?  I know that I had no idea a few months ago and I an willing to speculate that many of the intelligent and well-meaning people that I know don't know either.  If I don't know the ground rules of a game I am not likely to be interested in watching it, let alone participating in that game.  Allow me to present an analogy of personal origin.  

I am from SW Missouri.  In SW MO there is not much reason to learn a lot about the game of hockey.  I've watched it on tv and I get the basic idea but I don't really understand the rules nor do I know many of the players.  Now I live in New Hampshire.  Everyone here knows about hockey.  I go to the grocery store and old ladies are discussing it.  I play in a softball game and the other players debate it in the dugout.  Its everywhere.  But whenever a discussion occurs I find myself backing out of the circle, reluctant to participate.  I don't want to feel silly or let them know that I don't know what I'm talking about by opening my mouth.  When I talk with friends back home I (secretly now) make fun of hockey.  Now, I am interested and sometimes I do have things to say but I don't feel part enough of the group to do so, and like I said before, I don't even know the rules of the game so maybe my ideas are wrong anyway.  I think I would feel much more comfortable providing my input if someone would personally invite me to watch a game and explain the rules.  Maybe if there was a short primer on hockey where I could read about it myself I would feel comfortable enough to start to participate, maybe even play a game (which is the best way to learn I'm sure).  

I apologize for the length of this posting.  My analogy got a little out of control.  However, if you've made it this far I hope you get my point that if individuals don't know the "rules of the road" I think they are not likely to participate.  Conversely, if they are versed in the basics and know what to expect they may be not only more likely to participate but less likely to think negatively about the work that IS being done.  I like the idea presented by some about High School instruction in Civics.  How about a pamphlet on "How to Participate and What to Expect in ?" the permitting process, the rulemaking process, other, at the local, state, nat'l level.  Is there such an item?  Does anyone think that this could help?  I will be quiet again for a while now.