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The Importance of Public Participation. Toni Glymph, Environmental Toxicologist Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources National Beaches Conference 2006. “In the multitude of counsel, there is wisdom” (Proverbs). What is Public Involvement?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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The Importance of Public The Importance of Public ParticipationParticipation
Toni Glymph, Environmental ToxicologistToni Glymph, Environmental ToxicologistWisconsin Department of Natural Wisconsin Department of Natural
ResourcesResourcesNational Beaches Conference 2006National Beaches Conference 2006
“In the multitude of counsel, there is
wisdom”(Proverbs)
What is Public Involvement?What is Public Involvement?
Involving any group or individual that is affected by or interested in your decision or project. Different individuals or groups
may have different levels of interest or involvement.
Why Public Involvement?Why Public Involvement?
• It is a requirement of the BEACH Act
• People have the right to influence what affects them
• Results in better decision making – you can get it right the first time.
• Build relationships & credibility
When to Involve the PublicWhen to Involve the Public
• Before designing the program
• During the development of the program
• After the program design is complete
Before, During & After
BeforeBefore
The effectiveness of a program designed to communicate the
health risks of swimming in recreational waters is only as
effective as your ability to communicate that risk to the
public.
Communicating RiskCommunicating Risk
Gather information to tell you the most effective
way to communicate to
your public.
Talk to the Public!
Beach Survey – What we learnedBeach Survey – What we learned• 70% actually plan to get in the water
• Tourist vs Locals– Southeast 23% Tourists– Door County 86% Tourists– Lake Superior 50% Tourists
• Current vs Desired sources of information
• Sign design and placement preferences
• Language variations
DuringDuring
• Involve stakeholders during the development of the program– Workgroup
• State & Local Health Departments• Environmental Groups• Researchers & Scientists
DuringDuring
• As a result:– Meet the needs of each county health
department– Satisfy the environmental advocacy– Meet the need for public protection– Effectively communicate health risks to the
public
DuringDuring
• Get input along the way– Public meetings
• Explain what and why• Gather feedback and comments on
– Proposed methods of communication– Proposed beach classification & ranking
Beware of the “Jaws” SyndromeBeware of the “Jaws” Syndrome
DuringDuring
Dr. Robert B. Cialdini has identified six psychological principles that produce “a
distinct kind of automatic, mindless compliance from people, a willingness to
say “yes” without thinking first.”
Communicating RiskCommunicating Risk
Principle #1 – Reciprocity
“You are obligated to give back to me the form of behavior I first give to you”
• Produces a “Yes” response out of indebtedness• The rule of “gift giving” – We often give back
equal or more than we have received.
Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Issues
– “We don’t want our beaches on the list because people will come use them”
– “Stop wasting our money on monitoring and stop Milwaukee WWTP CSOs and the problem will be solved (for the entire state)”
Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Issues
– Everyone already knew what the major pollution source was.
– “Posting signs will make people think our water has bacteria in it”
Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Principal #2 – Authority
“It is impossible to use the influence of authority without ever providing a real authority”
• It has been proven that it is difficult to resist requests that come from figures who are simply dressed as authorities.
Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings
Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Focus the Public on the scope and
limitations of the program
• Give them specific aspects of the program to comment on
Focus the PublicFocus the Public
SIGN-IN TABLE
REFRESHMENTSCOMMENT
BOX
BE
AC
H A
ct
Info
Beach Location &
Names
Beach Priority & Ranking
Example Beach Signs O
ther M
etho
ds o
f C
om
mu
nicatio
n
AfterAfter
• End of season Beach Meetings
• Pre-season Beach Meetings
• Follow-up surveys to the public
Public InvolvementPublic Involvement
Effective public participation holds great potential for improving both your decisions
and your decision-making processes.
The public brings varied viewpoints, unique knowledge and energy to project.
Public InvolvementPublic Involvement
However, for effective public participation, you must recognize the need for involving the public and make the commitment to it.
Then, using a well-designed and thought out plan, integrate the public’s role into your
decision making.