Prepared for the International Joint Commission
By The
St. Lawrence River-Lake Ontario
Plan of Study Team
September, 1999
| 5. | PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT |
Public consultation is critical to the assessment of plan criteria. It is recognized that progress in addressing water levels issues is dependent in large part on public understanding of the causes of the water level problems, and the further understanding that most proposed solutions could have consequences for others. To achieve this understanding, it is recommended that the major interests and the relevant public be involved directly in the studies. This would allow individuals with diverse interests to find common ground on many aspects of the issues.
The continuous involvement of all interests throughout the criteria review process is critical to the success of the study. The study must be seen as being open, inclusive and fair. Regardless of the results of the study, the foundation for success will be laid only through effective two-way communication between governments and the users of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system. A key principle underlying the success of the studies is that the people of the basin need to be involved in a process for developing actions that will directly or indirectly affect them.
| 5.1 | Interest Advisory Group (IAG) |
An Interest Advisory Group (IAG) will be established to participate in the entire study process. The Group will have membership on each of the committees, and thereby have significant influence upon the direction of the study.
The Group will include members representing each of the interests, with representatives chosen through their affiliation, including, but not limited to:
Due to the multiple facets of each of these interest groups, members of the Group are expected to assist, through their own local contacts, with other public involvement efforts. Each may consist of subgroups that include representatives from both countries and various localities.
It is critical that the Public Consultation/Participation process begin early in the formulation of the final terms of reference for individual studies and continue throughout the process. The IAG should be established at the very start and should meet quarterly as a minimum.
Individual members of the Group should participate in each of the POS component investigations (Wetlands/Environment, Rec. Boating, Coastal Zone, etc.). These individuals would provide input on the study plans, be updated on progress/results, and review and comment on final reports and recommendations. They should participate at the front table at all public presentations of the study component results.
| 5.2 | Outreach to Government Officials |
A distinct and separate effort should be directed toward important/interested government officials and their staff. This effort should begin early and be continuous throughout the studies. Key contacts should be identified and 'kept in the loop'.
| 5.3 | Information Programs |
Public information and education efforts will be extremely important to the success of the studies. Public outreach must be mounted through different means such as Public Meetings, Open Houses, Workshops, Appearances at relevant meetings hosted by other organizations, Newsletters, and the Internet.
A separate Web page will be established and maintained for the POS effort. The Web page will have a section for comments/questions and someone must be tasked with posting responses to all questions within a day or two. The Web page will have separate sections for the component studies including project descriptions, participant listings, working documents and any progress/results summaries.
An education program will be implemented during the study regarding the causes of level changes and the actions that can be taken to adapt to the ever changing conditions of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system.
A Newsletter will be published and widely mailed on at least a semi-annual basis describing the on-going studies and their progress. A circulation list would have to be derived and continually updated. Lists similar to those used in the 1993 Levels Reference Study could be updated for this purpose. This Newsletter will also go to media outlets with news releases highlighting any interesting developments.
A wrap-up conference or symposium, with published proceedings, would be desirable during or at the end of the process wherein the results of all the underlying scientific studies are detailed/presented. The IAG will be invited to assist in proposing concepts for the organization of the symposium and would be invited to have separate sessions regarding recommendations, actions for implementation, etc.
| 5.4 | Costs and Schedule |
At a minimum, there should be full-time Public Relations positions for each country. These staff would work full time on writing newsletters, responding to correspondence and arranging for meetings with the public. There would be coordination and communications with government contacts and initiatives around symposia and media contacts.
Table 1. Cost Estimate for Public Involvement
| Estimated costs (per year) | U.S. ($K) | Cdn ($K) |
| 2 staff at $100,000 each including overhead | 100 | 100 |
| Newsletters (2 per year) | 18 | 18 |
| Public Meetings/ Open Houses (at least 8) | 50 | 75 |
| Workshops (2 per year) | 25 | 38 |
| Web site, per year | 10 | 15 |
| Out of pocket costs for IAG members
(20 members, 4 meetings, airfare, hotel, etc.) | 40 | 60 |
| Contingency | 27 | 34 |
| Total per year | 270 | 340 |
| Symposium (last year) | 50 | 75 |
| Total for the Studies (over 5 years) | 1400 | 1775 |