Sarah Bates, one of the best thinkers around on Western USA water policy and related issues, just sent me this. It goes beyond water.
Advancing citizen engagement in natural resources policy.
The newly redesigned Red Lodge Clearinghouse (RLCH) website makes participation in natural resources decision-making easier than ever before.
All government agencies give the public an opportunity to comment on proposed rules and regulations, and these agencies are required to address those comments and consider them in the decision-making process. The public comment process is a backbone of our democracy, and one that is too often neglected. One look at the Federal Register reveals why; locating and deciphering opportunities for participation is a daunting task even fortrained legal professionals.
By tracking critical western resource issues through public hearing and comment processes, linking to relevant news and opinions, providing thorough but concise primers on applicable laws, and offering users a simple form by which to submit comments electronically to respective decision-making bodies, RLCH is a one-stop shop for interested citizens to learn, discuss, and participate in environmental policy decisions affecting western communities.
True to its roots, the RLCH website is still home to one of the most extensive collections of collaboration resources on the web, which includes stories chronicling collaborative initiatives and lessons learned, the highly acclaimed Collaboration Handbook, a searchable database of funding sources, and much more. However, the site is not just for collaborators anymore; it is full of additional tools useful for anyone wanting to learn more about how to impact natural resourcespolicy decisions. Please click on by and leave a comment on our blog, check out some of the issues currently open for public comment, sign up for our newsletter, and let us know how we’re doing at [email protected]
Excellent resource; take a look and see what you think.
"Never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by incompetence." -- Hanlon's razor
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