• Ecological and human health effects; and 



• Living resources. 



Because public funds are used, the success of any estuary pro- 

 gram will ultimately depend on citizen support. To generate that 

 support the citizenry, persuaded that it has a vested interest in the 

 outcome, must be involved in the entire program. The citizens 

 advisory committee is germane to the estuary program because it 

 ensures representation of the public voice during all program 

 phases. An educated, informed, and involved citizenry is the estu- 

 ary program's most valuable ally. In the long run, many people and 

 corporations will be affected by measures taken to maintain and 

 restore the estuary. These include, for example, levying additional 

 taxes to pay for sewage treatment and sediment controls, imposing 

 changes in lawn care and agricultural practices, restricting some 

 waterfront land uses, and placing stricter regulations on dis- 

 chargers. 



Although the CAC is the formal mechanism for public involvement, 

 it does not preclude the necessity for a general public participation 

 program. The CAC's role must be clearly defined by the manage- 

 ment committee. (For specific guidance on setting up a public 

 participation program, see Appendix B.) 



The CAC reports to the management committee. CAC repre- 

 sentatives may sit on that committee and on the policy committee. 

 The CAC helps to ensure that the management committee and 

 estuary program staff include the public in the decision-making 

 process, and integrate public opinion and expertise into each 

 program phase. The CAC recommends the most effective ways to 

 inform the public and solicit its participation. It also identifies key 

 people and organizations that can help bring estuary-related issues 

 to the public's attention and build support for program activities. 



The CAC ensures representation of public concerns while options 

 are fluid, rather than after data collection and analyses have been 

 completed and final decisions made. Public support for implemen- 

 tation is more likely if the public has been involved throughout 

 program evolution. The CAC engages in the following activities to 

 fulfill its role: 



• Helps to establish program goals and objectives; 



• Participates in determining funding levels for program ac- 

 tivities; 



• Comments on research priorities; 



• Reviews technical findings and analyses; 



• Helps develop implementation plans; 



• Assists with public participation activities; and 



• Educates user groups concerning the purpose and benefit of 

 proposed programs. 



Citizens Advisory 

 Committee 



What Does the Citizens 

 Advisory Committee Do? 



19 



