[CPEO-MEF] What's RIGHT with the way RABs are set up?

[Ihray@aol.com]

_From last week's question, "What's wrong . . .,"  and lists of
frustrating 
elements, the natural corollary might be "What's right?"

DoD Public Participation Guidance instructs all RAB members, "RAB
members 
will: Document decisions at meetings and make the information available
to 
the general public."  The instruction does not single out the community
RAB 
members, rather "DoD, EPA, state Ecology (typical), state, local and
tribal 
governments, and the affected community."

The military, regulators, and governments meet the instruction easily
with 
huge resources to maintain web sites, information services, and
sometimes 
provide newspaper articles.  The local community typically doesn't poke 
around government web sites or information services unless a compelling 
reason becomes known.  So information for the "affected community" has
to be 
directed to the places where the community will see it in their normal
news 
uptake.

Community RAB members and other local people can meet the instruction
and job 
description with fewer resources but great influence on the conduct of
the 
cleanup project.  The idea is - when it's in view, it should work
better.  
Individual members can write letters and articles to newspapers
outlining the 
project status, interests to the community, their concerns, questions,
and 
advice.  Typical concerns that "an individual can't speak for the RAB"
are 
easily overcome by simply speaking for one's self.  Ad hoc non-RAB
groups are 
a boon.

A volunteer supported web site (no government money) is well within the 
resources of a few people - and once the site becomes known, "pages 
downloaded" register in the hundreds and thousands.  A place for viewer
intera
ction stimulates community participation.

Local neighborhood and homeowner's associations, service clubs,
recreation 
groups, are natural places to post and receive information.  They
typically 
have newsletters.

All in the intent and spirit of open discourse.

Ian Ray, member Camp Bonneville, Washington RAB

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