IBCC Meeting Notes 10-18-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Allow the general public to comment at appropriate times and places. We need broad input represent ative of whole public, not just special interest groups. Public will be most interested when it hits them personally in some way. Members of the roundtables already represent various constituencies of the public so broader public input not needed. Round tables are already large and cumbersome. If we allow a lot of public comment we will get even less done. If public wants to comment, they should contact their representative on the roundtable. That is their voice. Public hearings/forums to hear what const ituents have to say Meaningful public comment can only come when the public has been given adequate pre - notice of meeting agendas Allowing public input at end of a long meeting is NOT enough — offer other opportunities at times convenient for public Input from public should be catalogued & made part of the record; if comment requests response, response part of record Website should be set up so that input can be given online, catalogued for the record, same as public meeting comments Roundtables should invite those outside the roundtable but with pertinent expertise to participate in roundtable workgroups Roundtables should be soliciting input from the public about a basin’s needs to be assessed Stage open houses for public input when roundtables consi der project proposals or interbasin negotiations Concentrate on subgroups of the public who are likely already interested in the 1177 process as a first target audience The best way to inform the “public that is interested” is to get them to the meetings Website should include names and contact info about roundtable members so public can contact them. We need “new voices” on the roundtables. Previously underrepresented voices may illuminate unconventional strategies Diversity lurks in constituencies n ot typically considered part of the water scene — young, newcomers New conversations are needed, not just the hardwired conversations over and over. Bring in new people with new insights People are for change, not against it, if it offers prospect of new o pportunity. Offer opportunity to unleash new passions, new perspectives, new experiments by tapping into what’s being done on the cutting edge in the marketplace ROUNDTABLE EDUCATION Don’t worry about roundtable education; instead, focus on developing understanding among general public. Roundtable members should receive education from the public — what they are thinking — via public hearings/forums. Work group should not help roundtables choose/priori ti ze topics for education, but facilitate finding prese nters Work group should encourage roundtables to invite public to educational programs Work group can provide facilitation assistance to roundtables who request it Work group not needed to assist with SWSI reports to roundtables nor for helping roundtab les 10