Early Public Participation Under NEPA?

["Laura Olah" <olah@speagle.com>]

ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY PUBLIC PARTICIPATION UNDER NEPA? 

Background: 
In response to the proposed reindustrialization of Wisconsin's Badger 
Army Ammunition Plant and community pressure for an Environmental Impact 
Study, the USEPA Region V and the US Army have had lengthy telephone 
discussions,exchanged considerable written correspondence, and have had 
at least one face-to-face meeting. 

Our Request:
On March 11, our community group requested public participation in 
any further meetings between the USEPA and the US Army to discuss the 
potential for the development of an EIS. Specifically, our letter said: 
 "We believe in a citizen's right to know and the right to participate 
in the protection of human health and the environment. Therefore, in 
the interest of promoting an open, inclusive process, we request any 
further meetings or discussion include the community. We look forward 
to your response and to expanding the current dialogue between Agencies 
to include the community - the people that will be affected by decisions 
at the Badger facility." 

The USEPA's response:
"...our Agencies (USEPA and the US Army) agree that public involvement 
in the NEPA process is very important and should a DPEIS (Draft 
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement) be prepared, there will be 
a formal public comment period." 

Question: 
UNDER NEPA LAW, IS THIS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC INPUT? 
[Please site your source in your response if you can.]

Thanks for your help,
Laura Olah
Executive Director, CSWAB
olah@speagle.com