Full Description

The construction of a large water facility in a residential neighborhood can impact local residents in many ways: noise, dust, construction traffic, visual effects, and perceived property values. While most of these effects can be mitigated, the public may not accept the mitigation effort-or the project-if they believe the project has been forced upon them with no local involvement or input. Orange County, California, has grown tremendously in the last two decades. What was once a largely rural area with orange groves, strawberry fields and lima bean fields, is now filled with homes, shopping malls and business centers. Residents have had to adjust to increased traffic, denser housing and the effects of pollution and a growing population. Utilities have had to speed infrastructure development to maintain adequate service. This paper describes the process that the Mesa Consolidated Water District went through to involve the public early on in the decision to determine the site for a new reservoir. The highlights of the public hearings and the meetings are listed; the formation of the Citizen Input Committee is described; the public's suggestions and changes are provided; and several general public involvement tips are enumerated (decision sharing, media relations, flexibility, public outrage, follow-up procedures, and time and money commitments, etc.).

Product Details

Published: 01/01/1995 ISBN(s): 0898678315 Number of Pages: 5File Size: 1 file , 170 KB