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INDIAN RIVER LAGOON CCMP PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INITIATIVES
Citation:
Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. INDIAN RIVER LAGOON CCMP PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INITIATIVES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Description:
The goal of public involvement within the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) was to develop the public consensus necessary to ensure long-term support for, and implementation of, the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP). Consensus signifies substantive agreement among groups who have input into the decision-making process affecting the management of the natural resources of the Lagoon. These groups include elected officials, environmental managers, scientists, agriculture, business and the public. These groups have developed consensus on the actions recommended within the plan (CCMP). The criteria used during discussions considered the technical validity, fairness, and likelihood for success of proposed actions. Informing and involving all groups in the decision-making process has been no small undertaking. Public participation as defined and demonstrated within the IRLNEP, has involved citizens to all practicable levels in the decision-making process. To achieve full public participation in the development of the CCMP, a Public Involvement and Education (PIE) Strategy was developed during the early months of the program. This PIE strategy was approved by the Management Conference during the first six months of the program. Many public outreach methods were developed to carry out the PIE strategy. These were used by the CAC and other Management Conference members to foster understanding of the Lagoon system, threats to the systems and the IRLNEP's efforts to maintain and improve the estuary. Key public education tools were also developed during the first year of the program. In particular, the program's CAC has played a vital role in carrying out the Pie strategy.