RE: Rules of the Road

[Betty Winter <winter.betty@epa.gov>]

Sorry I didn't post this response to Jon's message on how to conduct public involvement with few staff and resources.  But Jon raises a question even larger offices have to deal with and that is how to get the biggest return on investment.  By the way, your hockey analogy shows a real understanding of a major reason many people don't get involved in environmental issues that directly affect them.   But on what you can do not knowing what efforts may already be underway,the first thing is to be clear on what public involvement opportunities (true invovlement) are really available in your programs.  Then the next step is to find out which issues state staff and a sample of community groups (environmental groups,local governments, local librarians, and others)think are important for public education and involvement efforts.  Obviously, one person can't tackle everything.   Once you've identified these organizations and groups partner with them to disseminate information to their constitutencies on the agency's activities and opportunities for the public to be involved.  Certainly, EPA Region 1's public affairs and community involvement staff should be able to help you both in identifying issues,interested groups, and in providing materials to groups to get out to interested stakeholders.   Another important thing is to get information on the state web site about public involvement opportunities. Your task is formidable but just reaching out to existing groups will get you going in the right direction.