Innovations in Public Participation and Environmental Planning : Examples from the Great Lakes Region

Public participation has become a standard component of environmental decision-making processes. Frequently used methods of public involvement, such as public comments and hearings, however, are too often reactive in nature, involve insufficient deliberation, and engage only a small number of participants. This article describes a set of "innovative" participatory processes — study circles, citizens juries, round tables, and collaborative watershed management efforts — and considers their relative strengths and weaknesses through the use of a common comparative framework. The analysis shows that these innovative processes offer some different and potentially valuable advantages relative to the public involvement methods commonly used today. While the processes standing alone are not likely to replace traditional methods, preliminary analysis suggests that they may be effective if applied strategically, and in combination with other innovative or traditional processes