Risk perceptions and public involvement

Too often, the technical and regulatory communities have viewed public involvement in decision-making processes as a series of delays and a loss of control over the outcome. However, in low-level waste management, attempting to proceed without public involvement is a gamble with odds against success. In 1982, Virginia initiated a public participation program with funding assistance from the Department of Energy. The program is administered by a commission within the legislative branch of government. As currently planned, the program will end in mid-1986. Techniques used include briefings, news releases, local meetings, questionnaires, newsletters, establishment of a citizen advisory committee and public hearings. Before a public participation program is developed, determine (1) level of commitment to public participation; (2) identify of interested publics, their roles and power to influence public opinion; and (3) legal requirements for administrative procedures. Time required for soliciting, considering and incorporating public input should be structured into the process, with the realization that the public can enhance the results. There appears to be no magic formula of activities for public involvement in low-level waste management decisions. Instead, a program should be evolutionary yet founded on purposeful strategies that provide information and continual opportunities for citizen contribution to the decision-making process