The Importance of Public The Importance of Public ParticipationParticipation

Toni Glymph, Environmental ToxicologistToni Glymph, Environmental ToxicologistWisconsin Department of Natural Wisconsin Department of Natural

ResourcesResourcesNational Beaches Conference 2006National Beaches Conference 2006

“In the multitude of counsel, there is

wisdom”(Proverbs)

What is Public Involvement?What is Public Involvement?

Involving any group or individual that is affected by or interested in your decision or project. Different individuals or groups

may have different levels of interest or involvement.

Why Public Involvement?Why Public Involvement?

• It is a requirement of the BEACH Act

• People have the right to influence what affects them

• Results in better decision making – you can get it right the first time.

• Build relationships & credibility

When to Involve the PublicWhen to Involve the Public

• Before designing the program

• During the development of the program

• After the program design is complete

Before, During & After

BeforeBefore

The effectiveness of a program designed to communicate the

health risks of swimming in recreational waters is only as

effective as your ability to communicate that risk to the

public.

Communicating RiskCommunicating Risk

Gather information to tell you the most effective

way to communicate to

your public.

Talk to the Public!

Beach Survey – What we learnedBeach Survey – What we learned• 70% actually plan to get in the water

• Tourist vs Locals– Southeast 23% Tourists– Door County 86% Tourists– Lake Superior 50% Tourists

• Current vs Desired sources of information

• Sign design and placement preferences

• Language variations

DuringDuring

• Involve stakeholders during the development of the program– Workgroup

• State & Local Health Departments• Environmental Groups• Researchers & Scientists

DuringDuring

• As a result:– Meet the needs of each county health

department– Satisfy the environmental advocacy– Meet the need for public protection– Effectively communicate health risks to the

public

DuringDuring

• Get input along the way– Public meetings

• Explain what and why• Gather feedback and comments on

– Proposed methods of communication– Proposed beach classification & ranking

Beware of the “Jaws” SyndromeBeware of the “Jaws” Syndrome

DuringDuring

Dr. Robert B. Cialdini has identified six psychological principles that produce “a

distinct kind of automatic, mindless compliance from people, a willingness to

say “yes” without thinking first.”

Communicating RiskCommunicating Risk

Principle #1 – Reciprocity

“You are obligated to give back to me the form of behavior I first give to you”

• Produces a “Yes” response out of indebtedness• The rule of “gift giving” – We often give back

equal or more than we have received.

Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Issues

– “We don’t want our beaches on the list because people will come use them”

– “Stop wasting our money on monitoring and stop Milwaukee WWTP CSOs and the problem will be solved (for the entire state)”

Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Issues

– Everyone already knew what the major pollution source was.

– “Posting signs will make people think our water has bacteria in it”

Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Principal #2 – Authority

“It is impossible to use the influence of authority without ever providing a real authority”

• It has been proven that it is difficult to resist requests that come from figures who are simply dressed as authorities.

Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings

Public Informational MeetingsPublic Informational Meetings• Focus the Public on the scope and

limitations of the program

• Give them specific aspects of the program to comment on

Focus the PublicFocus the Public

SIGN-IN TABLE

REFRESHMENTSCOMMENT

BOX

BE

AC

H A

ct

Info

Beach Location &

Names

Beach Priority & Ranking

Example Beach Signs O

ther M

etho

ds o

f C

om

mu

nicatio

n

AfterAfter

• End of season Beach Meetings

• Pre-season Beach Meetings

• Follow-up surveys to the public

Public InvolvementPublic Involvement

Effective public participation holds great potential for improving both your decisions

and your decision-making processes.

The public brings varied viewpoints, unique knowledge and energy to project.

Public InvolvementPublic Involvement

However, for effective public participation, you must recognize the need for involving the public and make the commitment to it.

Then, using a well-designed and thought out plan, integrate the public’s role into your

decision making.