PUBLIC COMMENT 101
One of the most powerful ways to use your voice to influence decision makers are through public comments. It's standard practice for government and regulatory agencies (city councils, commissions, etc.) to set aside time in their meetings for members of the public to "step up to the microphone" and share their views on key issues being considered by those agencies. How can we make the most of that opportunity to advocate for a just and equitable transition to a clean energy economy?
Chapter members have shared their experiences and gave advice on ways to structure those comments to make them as impactful as possible during our 8.30.21 Chapter Call. Below are quick resources for your use.
Testimony Tip Sheet (from the Reality Hub)
Why Participate in a Public Comment?
Public Comment 101 (our Chapter members' written stories)
Presentation slides from our Chapter's Public Comment Workshop on 8.30.21
Chapter Training Series: Contacting Influencers (video from the Reality Hub - open captioned)
breakout room exercise I
Template practice for 3-minutes verbal public comment with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board.
We want to speak on:
A) PUBLIC ACCESS to this site now. The State of California spent significant money to improve the Fiji Way Gate access trail in 2011.
B) The EIR was certified, but the proposed project for Ballona is far from certain. The Army Corps of Engineers does not even have a proposal on their desks now, from what we have learned. The State has to state all over with them due to flood risk standards that were not properly used in the planning for this proposed project.
C) We would like SMMC to review the 20 Pt. Plan for a Gentle Restoration at Ballona - ask your staff to review it, and consider supporting it.
breakout room exercise II
EXTRA TIME in breakout room? Create your own public comment impromptu by picking one of the agenda items below,
AGENDA for Thursday, Sept 2, 2021 with LA City (https://clerk.lacity.org/calendar)
ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND RIVER COMMITTEE
AGENDA, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PKYoBxFugy6K5MyAH1htRmCYgMoVCacO/view?usp=sharing
readings for further study
Check out the complicated, Federal Public Comment Flow Chart.
Reading on Response of the EPA to Public Submissions: notice and comment process in methane emission deregulation (from Google Scholar) [32 pages].
familiarize with various submission forms
Click here for the LA City Clerk Public Comment Form for items considered by the city council. Include agenda item number and board meeting date.
LA County Board of Supervisors Public Comment Form. They meet next on 8/31/21.
Please email laclimatereality@gmail.com to follow up for guidance.