This is a proposed updated Action Plan in the Buzzards Bay CCMP 2024 Update.

Enhancing Public Education and Participation

Problem

Government can be slow to address environmental problems because of work force or financial constraints, political pressures, concerns of potential economic impacts, or failure of legislative and executive bodies to revise or adopt new laws and regulations. In a democracy, the response of government to any problem is strongly driven by the public’s concerns and understanding of the issues. While it is true that given the same set of facts, persons can disagree about the proper course of actions depending on individual priorities and values, a common vocabulary in defining problems can facilitate the development of consensus among disparate parties. If the public is ill informed on a particular environmental problem, or if it does not have a clear understanding of important technical and regulatory issues, they may fail to appreciate the costs and benefits of management actions, or inaction. Contributing to the problem, people, first as children, then as adults, may not have been educated about concepts like groundwater flow, pollution pathways in local watersheds, how wastewater is treated and disposed, or the connection between ground and surface waters.

Because many of the recommendations in the Buzzards Bay CCMP are directed toward local government and may require voter approval or approval by town meeting or local boards, it is particularly important to have an informed citizenry to help make these decisions. Citizen groups and environmental non-governmental organizations can provide a crucial role in educating adults and children that will ultimately lead to the necessary social, political, regulatory, legislative, and legal actions to support efforts to protect and restore Buzzards Bay and surrounding watershed. The contribution of these non-governmental partners will be most important when legislative bodies and governmental boards must make specific planning, regulatory, and budgetary decisions.

Many action plans in this document include elements of outreach and education. This action plan addresses some statewide and regional issues that should be addressed to meet the broader goals of the Buzzards Bay CCMP.

Goals and Objectives

Changes: The goals and most objectives were modified to improve clarity. One new objective was added to address environmental justice goals.

Goal 21.1. Expand the public’s knowledge of the natural resources and water quality of Buzzards Bay and surrounding watershed and the threats they face.
Goal 21.2. Increase public participation in actions that support the goals, objectives, and recommendations in the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.
Objective 21.1. Expand the public’s knowledge of concepts of watersheds and the flow of water from precipitation along the land surface and in the ground.
Objective 21.2. Expand the public’s knowledge of pollution sources and pathways in the environment.
Objective 21.3. Improve the public understanding of human and natural effects on plant and animal populations and ecosystems.
Objective 21.4. Promote community involvement in planning and environmental decision-making to maintain and enhance the environmental quality of their neighborhoods. (New)
Objective 21.5. Improve the public understanding of the adverse impacts of accelerated sea level rise and other climate impacts. (New)