INTERIOR COLUMBIA BASIN ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROJECT

Public Involvement

Background: Public involvement was recognized as an important part of this Project since its inception. With the development of the Scientific Assessment driving the Project for the first two years, it was necessary to build communications efforts around the science work. This effort centered on regular monthly meetings, usually in Walla Walla but sometimes in other cities like Boise and Missoula. Other mechanisms like a newsletter, modem connection and document availability at a local copy store were also employed.

Other key developments from this project are new relationships established with tribal governments. Significant time and energy has gone into building trust and working relationships with more than 20 separate tribal governments in the project area. Past experiences have made these tribes skeptical of the ability of this project to produce results. Tribes have not been involved in early stages of a project in the past, and were not prepared with money or people to react quickly. Although significant effort is necessary to overcome skepticism and gain tribal involvement and trust, the benefits of relationships established are valuable and necessary for the future.

Early involvement of other federal agencies and county and state government is another highlight of this project. Counties and States have been involved from the early stages. A memorandum of understanding between the Project Managers and Eastside Ecosystem Coalition of Counties was signed in 1995. Over 100 public meetings have taken place since the beginning of the project. Four state associations of counties formed the Eastside Ecosystem Coalition of Counties in 1994 to keep informed and involved in the project and its progress. Mutual benefits have been gained from sharing different perspectives, data, and information. This mutual understanding and support is necessary for successful implementation.

The process to identify a preferred alternative included meetings with representatives of 22 tribes, four state associations of counties, and other state and regional working committees. This additional input, while not common in a normal EIS process, continues the Project's efforts of an open public process.

Future Public Involvement: The release of the Eastside and the Upper Columbia River Basin Draft Environmental Impact Statements in May 1997 will be accompanied by a formal public comment period of 120 days. We plan other activities with the public comment period, including:

• A satellite teleconference to over sixty communities in the region one evening during the month of June 1997. The purpose of the teleconference will be to introduce people to the Draft Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). We will provide information on how to maneuver through the rather large documents which deal with several complex issues. We will explain how the science information was used in the development of the Draft EISs, and how the seven alternatives were the subject of an independent scientific evaluation. The teleconference will also provide an opportunity for discussing the seven alternatives and the management strategies they represent. A teleconference provides the delivery of a consistent message and puts all interests and communities on an equal footing and also a more cost effective means to communicate across such a large area. It will communicate the information out as a first step leading to the latter phases of public involvement.
• Local public meetings: The project is planning a series of 30-35 local public meetings throughout the basin in July and August. These meetings will be tailored to meet local needs.
• Workshops: The final step to the public involvement process will be the organization of several workshops designed to promote discussion of the Draft EISs among diverse groups of people. There has been interest from a number of residents in the region to discuss land management issues in a manner that avoids the traditional hearing format. We will provide more information about these workshops as they evolve.