Citizen Education and Participation

Koppelman, Lee E.; Davies, DeWitt S.; ,

Citizen Education and Participation

by Lee E. Koppelman, L. I. Regional Planning Board, Hauppauge, NY, USA,
DeWitt S. Davies, L. I. Regional Planning Board, Hauppauge, NY, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

The role of public participation is of increasing concern to governmental technicians responsible for the development of comprehensive planning programs in general community planning, as well as in specific topical fields such as: health, coastal zone management, transportation and wastewater management. This concern is paramount since citizen input is mandated by the respective acts; and because successful interactions between the planning agencies and the public offers the promise of the development of more responsive plans and enhanced chances of implementation. Since the creation of the Long Island Regional Planning Board in 1965, the Board has tried to incorporate the broadest possible citizen input and interaction in the development of various planning programs. The development of the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (Section 208 of the Wastewater Management Control Act of 1972), again deeply involved the agency in trying to bridge the chasm created by the professional technicians' desire to 'do their thing' without interference from non-scientific sources (political or public); and the citizenry who clamor to be heard on matters that affect their lives and communities.

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