States are urged to build on existing source water programs when possible in designing the Source Water Assessment Plan. Whether building on ongoing efforts or just beginning the process, each state must submit a source water assessment plan to EPA for approval by February 1999. So time is short. The statute leaves the design and implementation of the assessment plan up to the states, with public input. The first step is developing the source water assessment plan with the help of citizen and technical advisors.
States can delegate some or all of the implementation tasks to local entities.
Citizens and officials who get involved in the planning process will be in a position to contribute to state decisions. The bureaucrats learn what the real issues are at the grassroots level. Everyone involved may need to discard some comfortable patterns and expectations. Public involvement starts with public awareness. Awareness is best accomplished through an ongoing program of outreach and education to all segments of the public.