Open forums in which the public can participate and be heard should be a component of the process. If public involvement is done well, it will foster a sense of accomplishment, ownership, understanding, and a stronger sense of community. Public involvement forums should examine environmental issues from multiple perspectives. To make the process work, industry must be a primary innovator and educator for the rest of the community. Government's chief role in the process is as a catalyst for responsible growth, participation and communication.
Government can also provide assistance and act as a liaison between industry and the community.
Civic and environmental groups want SEM's public involvement to build trust throughout the community and increase their ability to solve problems together. Open sharing of ideas and information will help achieve this goal. According to the participants, it is important for the emissions goal to be credible. Others interpreted the goal literally as eliminating all emissions over time. Some participants felt the goal should depend on the type of waste.