Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
informative materials. These efforts may be coordi- <br /> nated through the Partnership for the Sounds or other <br /> similar organizations. <br /> •::]:::.,::::,_ Increase opportunities for citizens to communicate with <br /> members of environmental agencies and policy-making <br /> commissions. <br /> Explanation: Citizens are more likely to support envi- <br /> ronmental protection and be involved in decision <br /> making when they feel governments and regulatory <br /> agencies are working with them as equal partners. <br /> Increased opportunities for public participation and <br /> education will P romote citizen involvement in envi- <br /> : ronmental policy makin . <br /> g <br /> Enhance and heighten local public involvement in issues <br /> affecting g <br /> the estuary. <br /> ry <br /> ° °° lanation: Public involvement in local policy�' P cY Proc- .... ...... <br /> esses can be promoted through Environmental Advi- , <br /> sory Boards.These boards need not have a regulatory <br /> role.Instead they would provide credible information <br /> and ' <br /> insight to local governments is on the environ- <br /> g <br /> ' ....... TM.... mental issues surrounding projects such as landfill and ...... ..... ...... <br /> roadway siting, water supply and sewage discharge, <br /> land use planning and stormwater control. <br /> ::.2:.::, <br /> 6 Expand involvement in the Citizen's Water Quality Moni- <br /> toring Program (CWQMP) and make the program more <br /> interactive with regulatory agencies. <br /> Explanation: Citizen monitoring gauges the estuary's <br /> he <br /> alth and ' <br /> an is an important education tool. hh <br /> the <br /> ... P <br /> Albemarle-Pamlico region,the Citizen's Water Quality <br /> Monitoring Project has served both purposes. The <br /> CWQMP would intensify efforts to provide accurate <br /> data to water quality management ment a g <br /> thereby... :ii: ::; <br /> ;>. <br /> expanding andin their ability track problems. <br /> Create a citizen ombudsman position within the Depart- <br /> merit of Environment, Health and Natural Resources <br /> (DEHNR). ... ..... <br /> Explanation: Acitizen ombudsman is an independent <br /> advocate for citizen concerns within a government <br /> agency.An ombudsman would re <br /> respond rid to and track <br /> these concerns, and would serve as the public's "eyes <br /> and ears"with regard to activities of DEHNR divisions. <br /> 33 <br />