The Rural Voice, 1993-02, Page 41Water Matters
Public consultation — a citizen's guide
Last month's focus was on the
public's participation in the planning of
projects, laws and policies. Many
projects or policies are no doubt a
benefit to society, such as water quality
improvement and stream rehabilitation
projects. With development on the rise,
however, you may have concerns
regarding a project that you believe
may have a negative impact upon your
health or the environment.
In the past, public consultation was
almost non-existent. Solutions were
technical and did not incorporate social
factors i.e. public response. Today,
largely due to public pressure, social
factors are an important part of the
solution. In other words, public
participation opportunities are now
made available and are your method to
communicate to the decision makers.
Public meetings and other public
consultation activities can be frustrating
and confusing for many. The Ontario
Environment Network (OEN), a non-
government organization, provides in-
formation on environmental agencies
and also organizes workshops and pub-
lishes information. One such publica-
tion, funded in part by the Ministry of
the Environment, is "A citizen's hand-
book for public consultation", which
among other valuable details, provides
tips for public participation. These tips
may help citizens to feel more confi-
dent about the process they are involv-
ed in and their participation within it.
Some important tips from the guide
include:
1) Educate yourself about the issues.
2) It is important to establish goals
in order to work towards them. The
goals would be the outcome you want
to see as a result of the process.
3) Don't apologize for the concern
you have about our local community
and the environment. Just because you
are concerned doesn't mean you are
selfish or shortsighted.
4) Say no to last minute documents.
Time is needed to review and respond
properly.
5) Beware of information overload.
Request time and assistance to critically
review large volumes of information.
6) It is easy to become side-tracked
or bogged down with sub -issues —
keep to the issues and your goal.
7) Be wary of various strategies that
may pit community against commu-
nity. Strive for common goals such as
the demand for waste reduct-
ion, recycling and strict standards for
wherever a site is located.
8) Remember, meaningful partici-
pation is valuable. It will help elected
officials familiarize themselves with all
the issues or facts.
9) If you have been excluded from a
consultation process, make yourself
heard, you have the right to participate.
For more information about public
participation or pertaining to the guide,
contact Janette Smiderle at the SVCA
or the OEN at 519-837-2565.0
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.
ATTENTION
Farmers and Homeowners
CURB Program Grants Available
The CURB Program (Clean up Rural Beaches) is offering
financial assistance to farmers and homeowners for
specified projects to improve water quality in rivers and
streams. Grants are available for the repair or rebuilding
of private septic systems, construction of manure storages,
milkhouse waste water disposal systems, and to fence
livestock from watercourses.
Eligible Items
Grant Rote Grant Ceiling
- manure storages 50%
- milkhouse waste disposal systems 50%
- fencing livestock from rivers 75%
- private septic systems 50%
$12,000
$5,000
$10,000
$2,000
This program is targeted at agricultural and rural residential
areas in the Maitland River, Nine Mile and Eighteen Mile
watersheds. Financial assistance is limited to those
applicants who are polluting watercourses. Proposed
projects with the greatest potential for improving water
quality will be considered first for funding.
For more information or application forms contact the
Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. The CURB
Program is funded by the Ministry of the Environment,
and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority.
Maitland Valley Conservation Authority
Box 127,
Wroxeter, Ont
NOG 2X0
(519) 335-3557
Ontario
FEBRUARY 1993 37