262 



members to the Commission and contributes $100,000 for staff. The 

 reason the Commission is crucial is that it can bring about legislative 

 implementation of the program. By the time the Program and the 

 Conunission are in agreement on legislation needed for implementation, it 

 takes the legislature orUy a few months to pass it As far as known, this is 

 the only one of these regional programs where there is a parallel 

 legislative structure, and this is aedited with much of the success of this 

 program. 



There is a very substantial public participation and public outreach 

 program. There is a continuous series of workshops and senunars. A 

 recent seminar drew 900 people! 



The outreach program is primarily implemented by Federal staff, but 

 there is an oversight group in which the public relations people for each of 

 the three Governors play a key role. The public relations person for the 

 Chair of the Executive Conunittee, for example, reviews all press releases 

 issued by the program. 



Gulf Of Mexico Program 



Person Interviewed: Laura Radde, EPA/Program staff 



This program is responsible for developing and administering EPA's 

 cleanup and protection plan for the Gulf of Mexico. EPA is the lead 

 agency, but there are five states involved and numerous state and Federal 

 agencies that have an interest and a role in implementation. Until now ttie 



Final Draft - September 15, 1993 93 



