Developed with assistance from DEP's Citizens Advisory Council, the policy underscores Gov. Ridge's commitment to fostering better public participation in developing regulations and policies and issuing permits. Instead of allowing true public participation in the process, many proposed regulations or policies in the past were taken to the public solely for support or approval, with little chance for the public's proposed changes to be accepted. Those days are over.
Public trust is earned through openness, outreach, consistency and results.
Public dialogue will increase understanding among all interests affected by environmental decisions. Public input should be solicited from all sectors of society. The public deserves substantive responses to all comments they submit. The department will encourage broad participation in its decision-making and discourage actions which prevent effective participation. Working with the Citizens Advisory Council, DEP is trying to revitalize the citizen roundtables in each of DEP's six regions to help provide two-way communication on local implementation of the department's programs.