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Carp Summit: What About the Public?

Fri, 01/22/2010 - 07:44 — Gary Wilson

As it appears there is going to be a "summit" on Asian Carp hosted by the executive branch's Nancy Sutley, I'm hoping that it will be in the region vs. Washington, and that the public will be invited to attend.

Sutley heads up President Obama's Council on Environmental Quality and she has agreed to meet with the region's governors.

A treatise could be written questioning the purpose and value of this "summit" and I'll leave that to others, for now. But if it's going to happen, the public should be invited.

The public deserves transparency and to see this debate and discussion without it being filtered through self-serving press releases.

gw 

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Tiffany Pache's picture

So what do you want?

Submitted by Tiffany Pache on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 08:06.

I'm a little confused, first Town Hall, via DD criticizes the idea of an Asian Carp Summit as just another meeting when action is needed. Then DD and Town Hall criticized the environmental community and stakeholders for sending a letter asking to be a part of such a Summit. Now, you want the summit and you want it in the region and you want the public to attend. Being a part of the community that was criticized by Town Hall for encouraging our Governors to meet with the White House and asking to be a part of that meeting - well - I feel a bit put out.

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Tiffany Danitz Pache is the blogger for the Healing Our Waters Coalition.  Before going to work for the HOW Coalition, Tiffany worked for Achieve, an education policy group focused on raising standards in our nation’s schools. And before tha

Gary Wilson's picture

Carp Summit

Submitted by Gary Wilson on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 10:12.

Hi Tiffany...

...Gary Wilson here to address some of your concerns.

First, Dave Dempsey and I don't co-ordinate our posts and it isn't the Town Hall's intent to speak with one voice or try to stay on message. We're not presenting a Town Hall position. It isn't what we do.

Dave and I tend to be aligned philosophically on issues but we certainly disagree at times and it shows in our writings.

Beyond that Dave may respond to your comments about his posts.

From my perspective, the "summit" appears to have questionable value. It's purpose, as described by Nancy Sutley from the executive branch, is to "identify a rapid response to the threat" and "to discuss strategy to combat the spread......."

Isn't there already a "rapid response" effort/team in place? And aren't the agencies - EPA and the Army Corps already implementing a plan?

And scheduling a meeting for two weeks from now to discuss "rapid response", isn't that a bit at odds with itself?

So what is the real purpose of the meeting?

The whole process gives the appearance of government bungling. 

The fight to close the locks temporarily has been fought and lost. The agencies responsible should now do their best using other measures. It looks like more fish kills will be scheduled.

That said about the "summit" if it is going to take place, for better or worse, the public should be invited and be able to see what the government is doing first hand rather than receiving it filtered through press releases.  

Thanks Tiffany for your interest and I hope this helps clarify.

gw