Abstract:

Citizen participation in the implementation and enforcement of environmental programs can be viewed as problematic and a hindrance to government efforts. However, citizen participation can improve environmental enforcement in many ways. It can legitimize and strengthen the government’s authority to take action; improve the overall decision-making process; influence government priorities; and increase community awareness and support for environmental programs and enforcement actions. It also can be a vital resource in supplementing scarce government resources by gathering compliance information and taking direct enforcement action against violators.

To make effective use of citizens in implementing and enforcing environmental programs, the enabling environmental statutes must explicitly recognize and describe the legal rights of citizens, and provide citizens with the necessary tools to collect information and take enforcement action. The United States Clean Air Act (CAA) provides one example of how to authorize and facilitate citizen participation in the compliance and enforcement process.

The sub-workgroup presentation will discuss the CAA citizen provisions, focusing on the opportunities for citizens to monitor compliance through analyzing self-monitored and reported information; participating in compliance evaluations; conducting fence line monitoring such as Visual Emission Observations for opacity standards; influencing government settlement agreements; and reporting tips and complaints.

Presentation: http://www.cleanairnet.org/baq2006/1757/docs/SW15_3.ppt