Why is public participation needed? I believe that it

Why is public participation needed? I believe that it is essential element of change. There is no need for public participation unelss there is a need to change policies to achieve accepted public goals and objectives. The need for change must be generally recognized and not be the pet project of a small special interest. If the general public does not recognize that the status quo is deficiem then it is the responsibility of those who want change to inform and educate the public on the issues and problems. If change has been recognized by legislators and mandated by law then it is the responsibility of the implementating agencies to educate and inform the public on the changes that are required and to seek out public views on the best way to achieve the newly mandated goals and objectives.

Over the years in a wide range of environmental public participation programs, two stand out as being very successful. I would briefly like to describe these to you.

In the first example the issue was to build or not to build 1-95 from the 1-495 Beltway intersection in Prince George’s County, Maryland to the District of Columbia line in Washington. The issues were sharply focused; the opponents and proponents equally strong. There was no political agreement and the politicians demanded the obvious: the establishment of a study with a citizens advisory committee. The Western Prince George’s County Transportation Alternative Study was begun. It was funded and staffed by the newly created Maryland Department of Transportation. A large, almost unweildy committee was appointed which was representative of the diverse interests of business, environment, and local government. For almost a year the battle raged. Fvery detail caused debate. The study task orders, the selection of the consultant, the research dale all received attention by the citizens advisory committee. A firece public education campaign financed by all the special interests was waged. Those of us who wanted to change the status quo policy of building more and bigger highways sought out new allies and learned how to use pariimenlary procedures. We won the battle. Flight lanes of 1-95 concrete remain stopped at the beltway. The status quo was changed and the public participation stage moved on to the masss tranist decision making arena.

The second example is more recent. It was an issue of water supply — to build or not to build a 108 inch pipeline across Montgomery County, Maryland to pump Potomac River water at high flow into the Patuxent Reservoirs which would have to be expanded which would flood 5 or 6 thousand acres in neighborhind Howard County. For years Washington area residents had been warned about a pending water shortage., There was no regional agreement in the foreseeable future so the Washington Sanitary Commission deckled to build the pipeline and expand the reservoirs. As political leaders and environmentalists realized the potential impact of the project a study was initiated complete with a citizens advisory committee. This committee was not representative of diverse interests but was composed of water experts and other experienced in economic and environmental problem solving. The committee provided leadership for the politicians who were too busy to analyze the issues in depth. The Committee also formed a cooperative alliance with staff members assigned to the project. Through the insistence of the committee a consultant with special qualifications was hired and as the data developed it became obvious that there was no imminent water supply shortage. By properly managing present supplies and establishing a drought management program there were much cheaper and more environmentally sound ways to provide water for the future. The final decision reflected a fundamental change in public policy.