An Expert Staff Person 



A Comprehensive 

 Mailing List 



While in no way usurping the need for management, policy, other 

 committee members, or the staff director as spokespersons, the 

 person responsible for the public participation program serves as 

 the linchpin. Because this staff member will interact with all kinds 

 of citizens and their organizations, public speaking and writing skills 

 are vital. He or she must understand technical material and be able 

 to translate it into lay language for a variety of interest groups. A 

 good listener as well, this expert must be able to convey citizens' 

 concerns to the Conference. Sensitivity to the biases of various 

 interest groups and an ability to put those biases in perspective, 

 while maintaining a neutral stance, are essential qualities. Under- 

 standing the workings of government as well as the problems of 

 the estuary will help. Further, the public participation expert sup- 

 ports other estuary managers, helping them deal effectively with 

 public groups and the media. 



There are several ways to organize and staff a public participation 

 program. EPA or a state agency could provide for the public 

 participation function, including an expert coordinator. The work 

 could also be performed under contract. A grant or cooperative 

 agreement can be arranged with an agency like Sea Grant or with 

 a nonprofit organization. All these arrangements have been tested, 

 with varying success, in the National Estuary Program. 



Knowing who constitutes the public for an estuary is essential to 

 conducting an effective public participation program. Identifying 

 target audiences and creating a representative, accurate mailing 

 list of organizations and people will lay the groundwork for the 

 information and participation activities. The mailing list will start to 

 form as plans develop for the kickoff meeting. Although the groups 

 undoubtedly will vary in each estuary, the following should be 

 included: 



• Conservation and environmental organizations; 



• Service, civic, and good-government groups; 



• Recreational boating clubs; 



• Commercial and recreational fishing associations; 



• Real estate firms and developers; 



• Agricultural businesses and farm groups; 



• Seafood packers and marketers; 



• Chambers of commerce, business, and industry; 



• Shippers and port-related groups; 



• Local government elected officials; 



• Federal and state legislators; 



• Federal, state, and local agency officials; 



• Scientists and educators; and 



• Media — print, radio, and television. 



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