The Rural Voice, 1993-01, Page 39Water Matters
Public participation and water quality
Canadians have made it clear
that water quality issues are of great
public concern. This high public
awareness and concern has been
both a blessing and a curse to both
policy -makers and the scientific
community. While the public is
supportive of water resource
protection policies, challenges to
recommended options and
conclusions found by scientists are
becoming more commonplace.
In the past, governments have
made major decisions behind closed
doors in consultation with powerful
interest groups such as other
governments, large corporations
and professional groups. What has
changed is the demand by citizens
and grassroots organizations to be
part of the process in order to shape
important decisions before they are
made. What has been realized
recently is that scientific or
environmental problems are
ultimately social problems. The
solution should ideally be a mixture
of social and scientific input. A
process called public consultation is
a means to achieving that goal.
Public consultation is a
systematic and interactive process
between citizens and the relevant
body or agency. During this
process, information is exchanged,
alternatives are discussed and areas
of agreement/disagreement are
identified. A best possible solution,
that all parties can live with, is the
goal. Citizens have struggled for
many years to become part of the
decision-making process. Evidence
of their influence can be seen in the
formation of steering and advisory
boards and committees. Open
houses, public meetings and
workshops are other examples of
consultative activities. These
functions/events are vehicles for the
public to go beyond their right to
vote and be equally heard.
Past experience with environ-
mental issues have shown that
citizens and public interest groups
have valuable information to offer
in identifying problems and
providing the public's area of
concern. So, the next time you see
the opportunity to provide input
about a subject which is important
to you such as water quality,
remember that you have the right to
participate in the planning of pro-
jects, laws and policies that affect
your life and the environment.
Next month's issue will focus on
tips for participation in public
consultation events.0
This is another in a series of
articles by Janette Smiderle of the
Saugeen Valley Conservation
Authority, highlighting information
on water quality in the rural
environment.
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YORKSHIRE
111, LANDRACE
DUROC
HAMPSHIRE
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GET RESULTS!
fa
GET A MONOWAY BOAR
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FOR GENETICS THAT GET RESULTS:
.tea?or& Ask for Wayne, Paul or Brian
Ph. (519) 887-6477
Fax (519) 887-9387
Don Ruttan Q.S. Representative 519-887.9884
Farm 6 miles West of Brussels on Huron County Rd. #16
JANUARY 1993 35