7846

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7846
• Author: American River Management Society
• Title: Editor
• USFW Year: Series
• USFW - Doc Type: 1994
• Copyright Material: NO

45

. When faced with a dominating minority, don't make decisions on the spot. Take the time needed to
digest all information sources.

. Emphasize "us" vs. "your", when trying to enlist help from meeting participants.

. To aid in establishing corporate trust between the public and the agency, we should get involved with
the community as an agency (chamber, visitor center, etc.)

. Set up meetings so that each group present has a representative who speaks. Make it possible for
anyone present to call a break so they can discuss changing who represents them.

. We need to keep the politicians informed early on and updated regularly. If they are involved
proactively they won't be as likely to feel the need to make a PQwer move.

. Develop one-on-one relationships with members of the public - prior to meeting - and meet on their
turf.

. Develop mailing I meeting lists based on Wilderness or camping permits or volunteer trip
documents.

. Coordinate meetings with upper management Be aware of hislher goals before establishing the
agenda. Share the agenda internally for approval and input.

. Check with group to see if those who should be involved are present or represented. Offer to contact
others if necessary.

. Come at the group from directions they don't expect - put out a handout on some of their interests,
i.e., private land rights - this may help to diffuse some "hidden agendas".

. Delegate duties to specillc participants rather than waiting for volunteers.

Conclusion

This paper highlights 3 problem areas in current public involvement efforts that need to be addressed as more
rivers begin to be managed from a basin-wide perspective. Issues and potential solutions were discussed on how
to-work within the framework of old fashioned regulations, how to begin to coordinate public involvement
efforts at the basin-wide level, and how to structure effective meetings. Additionally, information generated by 3
working groups of river managers at the recent ARMS conference, was presented. Agencies are moving into a
new era of broad based management of natural resources which blurs and potentially erases the boundaries that
have traditionally been placed around those resources. As these changes take place the demands for quality public
involvement in land management decision making will continue to increase. The challenge is to fInd and
implement new and creative ways to bring the public along with the agencies, as they begin to implement their
new more comprehensive mandates.

..

Rivers Without Boundaries 1994